UN Security Council postpones vote on Russia's draft resolution on Gaza

The UN Security Council vote on Russia-proposed draft resolution concerning the Israeli-Gaza conflict settlement has been postponed indefinitely amid ceasefire expectations, Russia's envoy to the UN Vitaly Churkin said. A regular round of Middle East consultations is due to begin within the next few hours. The draft resolution "has been shelved for a certain period of time, but I would like to stress that it [Russia's proposal] remains in force," he said. Churkin said on Monday the draft resolution focuses on three key components: an end to violence to negotiate a ceasefire, support for international and regional efforts to settle the crisis peacefully and a call for resumption of talks between Palestinians and Israelis on a wider range of problems. A ceasefire agreement was expected to come into force on Wednesday, but no announcement has been made so far. Hamas officials, however, expect the agreement to be reached later in the day, according to (RIA Novosti). Gaza Strip, a coastal enclave with a population of 1.7 million has been under Israeli blockade since 2006.