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The U.S. veto triggered swift condemnation from several UN members.
The United States has once again vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, marking the sixth time Washington has blocked such a measure since the outbreak of the conflict.
The draft, supported by all 14 other Council members, also demanded the release of hostages and described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “catastrophic”.
It further urged Israel to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid.
Speaking before the vote, U.S. Deputy Middle East Envoy Morgan Ortagus insisted Washington’s stance should “come as no surprise”, according to BBC.
“It fails to condemn Hamas or recognise Israel’s right to defend itself, and it wrongly legitimises the false narratives benefitting Hamas, which have sadly found currency in this council,” Ortagus said.
Ortagus argued that the text did not go far enough in addressing Hamas and reiterated that Israel had the right to self-defense.
The U.S. veto triggered swift condemnation from several UN members.
Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, described the U.S. decision as “deeply regrettable and painful,” saying it had prevented the Council from “playing its rightful role in the face of these atrocities”.
Pakistan’s Ambassador, Asim Ahmad, called the veto “a dark moment in this chamber”.
He added, “The world is watching. The cries of children should pierce our hearts.”
Algeria’s Ambassador Amar Bendjama went further, apologising directly to the Palestinian people.
“Palestinian brothers, Palestinian sisters, forgive us,” he said. “Forgive us, because the world speaks of rights, but denies them to Palestinians.
“Forgive us because our efforts, our sincere efforts, shattered against this wall of rejection.”
The UN’s humanitarian office has warned that the last lifelines for civilians are collapsing in Gaza City as Israel pushes deeper into the territory with tanks and troops, now on the third day of a ground offensive.
Olga Cherevko, a spokeswoman for the agency, told the BBC the situation in Gaza was “nothing short of cataclysmic”.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 65,141 people have been killed since Israel began its military campaign in response to the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which left about 1,200 people dead and 251 others taken hostage.
The ministry also reported that 435 deaths so far have resulted from malnutrition and starvation, including four in the past 24 hours.
The latest veto comes just days before world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly, where Gaza is expected to dominate discussions.
Key US allies, including the UK, are anticipated to use the summit to announce recognition of an independent Palestinian state.
Meanwhile, thousands continue to flee Gaza amid relentless bombardment and deteriorating conditions, as Israel and its closest ally, the United States, face growing international isolation.
SAHARA REPORTERS
