Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanski said on Saturday that no changes had been made to the text since it was given to the 15-member body on Friday and that he expected the vote to be scheduled for 1900 GMT on Monday.

The one-page draft resolution also calls for the release of hostages, humanitarian aid access, and the safe evacuation of civilians in need. It refers to Israel and the Palestinians but does not directly name Hamas.

A UN Security Council resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, the UK, France, China, or Russia. The US has traditionally shielded its ally Israel from any Security Council action.

Israel was preparing on Saturday to launch a ground assault against Iran-backed Hamas in the Gaza Strip, after telling Palestinians living in the densely populated territory to move south towards a closed border with Egypt.

Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas in retaliation for an attack by the Palestinian Islamist group a week ago. Hamas stormed Israeli towns, killing 1,300 people and seizing scores of hostages – the worst attack on civilians in Israel’s history.

Israeli jets and artillery have already subjected Gaza to the most intense bombardment it has ever seen, putting the enclave, home to 2.3 million Palestinians, under total siege. Gaza’s authorities say more than 2,200 people have been killed.