US Blocks UN Gaza Ceasefire Resolution for Sixth Time
The United States has once again vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, marking the sixth time it has blocked such efforts since the conflict escalated nearly two years ago.
On Thursday, 14 of the 15 council members voted in favor of the resolution, which called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire,” the release of hostages held by Hamas and other groups, and unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, the measure failed due to the US veto.
US Position
Morgan Ortagus, the US deputy special envoy to the Middle East, defended Washington’s decision, saying the resolution “fails to condemn Hamas or recognize Israel’s right to defend itself” and that it “legitimizes false narratives” about the conflict. She also questioned the UN-backed declaration of famine in Gaza, calling its methodology flawed.
Palestinian and Algerian Response
Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, condemned the veto as “deeply regrettable,” saying it prevented the Security Council from fulfilling its duty to protect civilians amid what he described as “atrocities and genocide.”
Algeria’s ambassador, Amar Bendjama, who introduced the resolution, addressed Palestinians with an emotional statement: “Forgive us, because the world speaks of rights but denies them to Palestinians. Our sincere efforts were shattered against this wall of rejection.”
Casualties and Humanitarian Crisis
Since the beginning of the war, Palestinian health officials report more than 65,000 deaths, including at least 18,000 children and 12,000 women. The conflict has also claimed the lives of over 1,400 doctors and nurses, and more than 250 journalists. UN diplomats say Gaza is facing a “catastrophic” humanitarian disaster, with large parts of the population on the brink of famine.
Danish ambassador Christina Markus Lassen warned that Gaza’s food crisis risks creating a “lost generation,” saying desperate families are forced to survive on boiled leaves while civilians are killed searching for food.
Israel’s Stance
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, dismissed the resolution and thanked Washington for exercising its veto. He insisted that Israel does not need “justification” for its military campaign, saying it will continue fighting Hamas to protect its citizens.
Israel launched a major ground offensive in Gaza City earlier this week, vowing to continue until Hamas is dismantled. Military officials have given no timeline for the operation, which observers fear could last months.
A Historic Low for the UN
The vote came on the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, which some diplomats described as a “sombre” moment reflecting the organisation’s weakening authority. Al Jazeera’s diplomatic editor James Bays noted that the US stance reinforced an “America-first” approach at the expense of multilateral diplomacy, leaving the UN at one of its lowest points in history.
Meanwhile, a team of independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council recently concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, accusing it of intending to “destroy” the Palestinian population.
Source: Al Jazeera
