The ten elected members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council have called for a vote on a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

According to Reuters, the draft resolution also calls for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, and urges the immediate lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, ensuring its safe, unhindered, and large-scale distribution throughout the enclave, including by the United Nations.

The council meeting is expected to be held on Thursday, 5 June, at 00:00 in South African time, and its resolutions are legally binding.

The newly elected five countries, which include Bahrain, Congo, Liberia, Colombia and Latvia, each with ten votes, will require at least nine more votes in favour and no votes from the five permanent members, for the resolution to pass.

The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council include the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France.

Ahead of the council vote meeting, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, said the focus should be on pressuring Hamas and not the state of Israel.

“While negotiations are underway to release hostages, some are attempting to push forward a Security Council resolution that will contribute nothing.

“Our focus now should be on pressuring Hamas, the group that hijacks trucks and stockpiles the aid to their benefit and not the State of Israel,” Danon stated.

On Tuesday, the U.N. secretary general, Antonio Gutierrez, condemned the death of 27 Palestinians, while seeking food in southern Gaza.

“We are witnessing unthinkable loss of life in Gaza [and] the Secretary General condemns the loss of lives and injuries of Palestinians seeking aid.

“It is unacceptable civilians are risking and in several instances losing their lives just trying to get food,” Said his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.