UN Security Council to vote on US resolution backing Gaza ceasefire proposal

The UN Security Council will vote on Monday on a US-drafted resolution backing a three-stage Gaza ceasefire proposal outlined by US President Joe Biden.

The text was finalised on Sunday following six days of negotiations among the 15-member council. It is currently unclear whether Russia and China will be able to veto the adoption of the draft.

In order to pass, a resolution needs at least nine votes and no vetoes by the US, France, Britain, China or Russia.

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said earlier on Monday that Hamas was the "only outlier" in not accepting the ceasefire proposal.

Israel has not offered guarantees for a “permanent” ceasefire and a complete withdrawal from Gaza in its response to a plan presented by mediators, a copy of the proposal seen by Middle East Eye shows. 

Israel instead agreed to a “temporary cessation of military operations” for 42 days, which would be followed by open-ended talks to reach a permanent ceasefire.