The United Nations Security Council is poised for a critical vote on a resolution that would authorise the deployment of an international stabilisation force to the Gaza Strip, a move forming part of the next phase of a US-backed plan for the region.
Eleventh-Hour Change and Key Support
In a significant development, the US-drafted resolution has undergone a last-minute revision. Following considerable pressure from Arab states, the text now includes a direct reference to the establishment of a future Palestinian state.
The wording of this pivotal document was not settled easily. It was drafted and redrafted through several rounds of intense negotiations. This diplomatic effort has now secured the backing of key Arab and Muslim-majority countries, lending considerable weight to the proposal.
Potential Abstentions and Diplomatic Tensions
However, the path to approval is not without its obstacles. Russia and China, two permanent members of the council with veto power, may choose to abstain from the vote. This potential move casts a shadow of uncertainty over the resolution's fate.
Complicating the diplomatic landscape further, Russia has circulated its own competing resolution on the matter, highlighting the divergent approaches within the international community regarding the path to peace and stability in Gaza.
The upcoming vote, scheduled for shortly after 21:01 GMT, represents a crucial moment for international diplomacy and the ongoing efforts to address the complex situation in the Middle East.
