The UN General Assembly will vote Thursday on a US-drafted resolution condemning the Palestinian Hamas movement, in what could mark US Ambassador Nikki Haley's parting gesture at the United Nations.

Haley, who will step down as UN ambassador at the end of the year, has repeatedly accused the United Nations of having an anti-Israel bias and strongly supports Israel in its latest confrontation with Hamas in Gaza.

If adopted, it would mark the first time the 193-nation assembly has taken aim at Hamas, the Islamist militant group that has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007.

The United States has won crucial backing from the European Union, with all 28 countries set to support the US measure that condemns Hamas for firing rockets into Israel and demands an end to the violence.

Diplomats, however, warn the session could go awry over procedural issues, notably whether a majority of two-thirds will be required for adoption or a simple majority.

There was also much diplomatic wrangling after the Palestinians presented an amendment to the US text to include a reference to UN resolutions that condemn Israeli settlements, call for negotiations on East Jerusalem and pledge support for the two-state solution.

In negotiations with the Europeans, the United States agreed to add a mention of "relevant UN resolutions" without specifying which ones. The US text does not refer specifically to the two-state solution.

After talks with the Europeans late Wednesday, the Palestinians agreed to withdraw their amendment and instead table a separate resolution, diplomats said.

That move increased the chances that the US measure will be adopted, as well as the Palestinian-drafted resolution. EU countries plan to support both measures.

US takes vote seriously&nbsp;

Haley rattled the United Nations when she arrived in January 2017 vowing that the United States will be "taking names" of countries that oppose President Donald Trump's foreign policy.

Ahead of the vote on Thursday, the US ambassador sent a letter to all UN missions to make clear that "the United States takes the outcome of this vote very seriously."

The vote at the assembly could be a crowning achievement for Haley as she prepares to step away from public life.&nbsp;

Diplomats say the US administration has lobbied hard to win votes.

"She would like to go out with something," said a Security Council diplomat.

EU backing for the US measure buttressed Haley's stance.

The European Union, like the United States, considers Hamas a terror group, but the 28-nation bloc is divided over how to support peace efforts.

Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly are non-binding, but they carry political weight and are seen as a barometer of world opinion.

The United States put forward the resolution as it prepares to unveil new peace proposals that the Palestinians have already rejected.

The Palestinians have severed ties with the Trump administration after the decision a year ago to move the US embassy to Jerusalem and declare the city Israel's capital.

The US administration has also cut more than $500 million in Palestinian aid.

The Palestinians see the city as the capital of their future state. International consensus has been that Jerusalem's status must be negotiated between the two sides.

The General Assembly session to vote on the US draft resolution is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm (2000 GMT).

The UN General Assembly will vote Thursday on a US-drafted resolution condemning the Palestinian Hamas movement, in what could mark US Ambassador Nikki Haley's parting gesture at the United Nations.

The UN General Assembly will vote Thursday on a US-drafted resolution condemning the Palestinian Hamas movement, in what could mark US Ambassador Nikki Haley's parting gesture at the United Nations. Haley, who will step down as UN ambassador at the end of the year, has repeatedly accused the United Nations of having an anti-Israel bias and strongly supports Israel in its latest confrontation with Hamas in Gaza. If adopted, it would mark the first time the 193-nation assembly has taken aim at Hamas, the Islamist militant group that has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007. The United States has won crucial backing from the European Union, with all 28 countries set to support the US measure that condemns Hamas for firing rockets into Israel and demands an end to the violence. Diplomats, however, warn the session could go awry over procedural issues, notably whether a majority of two-thirds will be required for adoption or a simple majority. There was also much diplomatic wrangling after the Palestinians presented an amendment to the US text to include a reference to UN resolutions that condemn Israeli settlements, call for negotiations on East Jerusalem and pledge support for the two-state solution. In negotiations with the Europeans, the United States agreed to add a mention of "relevant UN resolutions" without specifying which ones. The US text does not refer specifically to the two-state solution. After talks with the Europeans late Wednesday, the Palestinians agreed to withdraw their amendment and instead table a separate resolution, diplomats said. That move increased the chances that the US measure will be adopted, as well as the Palestinian-drafted resolution. EU countries plan to support both measures. US takes vote seriously Haley rattled the United Nations when she arrived in January 2017 vowing that the United States will be "taking names" of countries that oppose President Donald Trump's foreign policy. Ahead of the vote on Thursday, the US ambassador sent a letter to all UN missions to make clear that "the United States takes the outcome of this vote very seriously." The vote at the assembly could be a crowning achievement for Haley as she prepares to step away from public life. Diplomats say the US administration has lobbied hard to win votes. "She would like to go out with something," said a Security Council diplomat. EU backing for the US measure buttressed Haley's stance. The European Union, like the United States, considers Hamas a terror group, but the 28-nation bloc is divided over how to support peace efforts. Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly are non-binding, but they carry political weight and are seen as a barometer of world opinion. The United States put forward the resolution as it prepares to unveil new peace proposals that the Palestinians have already rejected. The Palestinians have severed ties with the Trump administration after the decision a year ago to move the US embassy to Jerusalem and declare the city Israel's capital. The US administration has also cut more than $500 million in Palestinian aid. The Palestinians see the city as the capital of their future state. International consensus has been that Jerusalem's status must be negotiated between the two sides. The General Assembly session to vote on the US draft resolution is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm (2000 GMT).

UN to vote on Haley's last stand: Condemning Hamas

The United States&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;said countries trading with North Korea were aiding its &quot;dangerous nuclear intentions&quot; as the United Nations Security Council mulled tough new sanctions and the isolated regime showed signs of planning more missile tests.

South Korea said it was talking to Washington about deploying aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula following the North&#39;s sixth and most powerful nuclear test&nbsp;on Sunday.

At a Security Council meeting, US Ambassador Nikki Haley said North Korea&#39;s Kim Jong Un was &quot;begging for war&quot; and urged the 15-member group to adopt the strongest possible measures to deter him.

&quot;War is never something the United States wants. We don&#39;t want it now. But our country&#39;s patience is not unlimited. We will defend our allies and our territory,&quot; Haley said.

&quot;The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions,&quot; she said.

Haley said the United States will circulate a new Security Council resolution on North Korea this week and wants a vote on it&nbsp;next Monday.

China, a top trading partner with North Korea, and Russia called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

&quot;China will never allow chaos and war on the (Korean) Peninsula,&quot; said Liu Jieyi, the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations.

Russia said peace in the region was in jeopardy.

&quot;A comprehensive settlement to the nuclear and other issues plaguing the Korean peninsula can be arrived at solely through political diplomatic channels,&quot; Russia&#39;s UN&nbsp;Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said.

North Korea has been under UN&nbsp;sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Typically, China and Russia only view a test of a long-range missile or a nuclear weapon as a trigger for further possible UN sanctions.

US President Donald Trump had asked to be briefed on all available military options, according to his defence chief.

Officials said activity around missile launch sites suggested North Korea planned more missile tests.

&quot;We have continued to see signs of possibly more ballistic missile launches. We also forecast North Korea could fire an intercontinental ballistic missile,&quot; Jang Kyoung-soo, acting deputy minister of national defense policy, told a parliament hearing on Monday.

North Korea tested two ICBMs in July that could fly about 10,000 km (6,200 miles), putting many parts of the US&nbsp;mainland within range and prompting a new round of tough international sanctions.

The UN Security Council is mulling tough new sanctions on North Korea

The United States on Monday said countries trading with North Korea were aiding its "dangerous nuclear intentions" as the United Nations Security Council mulled tough new sanctions and the isolated regime showed signs of planning more missile tests. South Korea said it was talking to Washington about deploying aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula following the North's sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sunday. At a Security Council meeting, US Ambassador Nikki Haley said North Korea's Kim Jong Un was "begging for war" and urged the 15-member group to adopt the strongest possible measures to deter him. "War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited. We will defend our allies and our territory," Haley said. "The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions," she said. Haley said the United States will circulate a new Security Council resolution on North Korea this week and wants a vote on it next Monday. China, a top trading partner with North Korea, and Russia called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. "China will never allow chaos and war on the (Korean) Peninsula," said Liu Jieyi, the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations. Russia said peace in the region was in jeopardy. "A comprehensive settlement to the nuclear and other issues plaguing the Korean peninsula can be arrived at solely through political diplomatic channels," Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said. North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Typically, China and Russia only view a test of a long-range missile or a nuclear weapon as a trigger for further possible UN sanctions. US President Donald Trump had asked to be briefed on all available military options, according to his defence chief. Officials said activity around missile launch sites suggested North Korea planned more missile tests. "We have continued to see signs of possibly more ballistic missile launches. We also forecast North Korea could fire an intercontinental ballistic missile," Jang Kyoung-soo, acting deputy minister of national defense policy, told a parliament hearing on Monday. North Korea tested two ICBMs in July that could fly about 10,000 km (6,200 miles), putting many parts of the US mainland within range and prompting a new round of tough international sanctions.

North Korean leader 'begging for war', says US ambassador to UN

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UN to vote on Haley's last stand: Condemning Hamas

North Korean leader 'begging for war', says US ambassador to UN