According to “unnamed diplomats” cited by Associated Press, the wording of a likely resolution in the UN Security Council today or tomorrow may call for a “suspension” of hostilities, or use a similarly vague formulation to which the United States would agree, or abstain from vetoing, rather than the “urgent and sustainable ceasefire” called for by the new resolution which the United Arab Emirates drew up for the Council.
Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, the chair of the international “human rights” grouping of leaders called The Elders, originally formed by Nelson Mandela in 2007, said in a statement that Biden’s “support for Israel’s indiscriminate bombing of Gaza is losing him respect all over the world. The U.S. is increasingly isolated, with allies like Australia, Canada, India, Japan, and Poland switching their votes in the UN General Assembly to support an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The U.S. cannot afford to be further isolated by vetoing this resolution.”
Meanwhile the Times of Israel reported on Dec. 19 on a possibility of resuming hostage talks and another “pause” in the war. It said that Mossad head David Barnea will meet this week with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Europe, following up a meeting the two already had on Dec. 15 in Norway; and that Israel is prepared to let Hamas choose the ones to be released.
But the paper also reported: “The Israel Defense Forces has confirmed the deaths of 21 of those still held by Hamas, citing new intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza.”
