The United Nations Security Council has again postponed a vote on a resolution calling for a "cessation of hostilities" in Gaza to boost humanitarian aid, as members were unable to reach a consensus on Thursday.

The council was initially scheduled to vote on the resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates on Monday. The draft expressed deep concerns over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for establishing a UN mechanism to monitor all relief deliveries to accelerate aid to the enclave.

But UN diplomatic sources said the United States, which backs Israel, asked to delay the vote, due to US wariness over the draft's reference to a cessation of hostilities and the monitoring mechanism.

The US and UAE proposed amendments to the resolution. But diplomatic sources said Russia and other council members complained about the changes. The vote was postponed for a fourth straight day.