GAZA: The US finalised its draft resolution for the UN Security Council on a truce deal between Israel and Hamas, the Reuters news agency reports, in a move likely to serve as the final step before a vote is held.

A draft seen by Reuters suggests the UNSC adopt wording saying it, “unequivocally supports international diplomatic efforts to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire as part of a deal that releases the hostages, and that allows the basis for a more durable peace to alleviate humanitarian suffering”.

It is not clear when the US will hold a vote to adopt the resolution. To pass, it will require at least nine votes in favour and no objections from veto-wielding countries the US, France, Britain, Russia and China.

Australia will resume funding to the United Nations’ main Palestinian relief agency, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Friday, almost two months after pausing ties over allegations that some of the agency’s employees participated in the Oct 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Reuters reports.

Australia had consulted with UNRWA and other donors and was satisfied the aid agency was not a terror organisation, Wong said. New and additional safeguards would protect aid money, and A$6 million ($3.9 million) in paused funding would be released immediately, she said.

“We have children and families that are starving and we have a capacity along with the international community to assist them,” Wong said at a news conference.

“We know that UNRWA is central and vital to delivering that assistance.” Australia along with more than a dozen countries, suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in January after Israel accused 12 of the agency’s 13,000 employees in Gaza of participating in the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

Sweden, Canada and the European Union have resumed funding to some degree. The organisation’s head said last week he cautiously optimistic other donors would resume funding soon.

Wong also announced a further A$4 million in funding for UNICEF and A$2 million for a separate UN facility for Gaza. Australia will also give Jordan and the United Arab Emirates 140 parachutes to use for air drops of aid.