US veto at the UN blocks ceasefire in Gaza

The United States rejected the proposal for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip submitted to the United Nations Security Council. The US veto alone was enough to block the resolution, which already had 13 votes in favour, with the UK abstaining. Therefore, although the situation is critical and close to the point of no return, according to the UN, there is no ceasefire between Israel and Hamas: “Humanitarian aid is struggling to reach the Palestinians at the bottleneck of the Rafah border gate.” Thomas White, director of UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, condemned the streets: Especially after sunset, the streets are in chaos: some humanitarian aid convoys have been looted and UN vehicles have been stoned. The company is on the verge of complete collapse. . NO

US veto at the UN

Why did the USA oppose the UN ceasefire draft? The proposal was described as “unbalanced”, as America’s UN envoy Robert Wood noted: “Hamas remains a threat to Israel and maintains control of the Gaza Strip.” Thirteen members of the United Nations Security Council voted in favor of the resolution submitted by the United Arab Emirates, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages, believing that the United States rejected what Wood called “an unbalanced resolution that is disconnected from reality and will not advance the process.” believes he said while motivating the veto. “The text’s drafters rejected language condemning Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 and ignored all of our recommendations in a rushed process.”

UK abstention

Great Britain decided to withdraw from the vote because the proposal did not include an unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and the atrocities committed during the attack two months ago. “The call for a ceasefire ignores the fact that Hamas is committing acts of terrorism and still holding civilians hostage,” said Barbara Woodward, the UK’s representative to the UN, as quoted by British media. “We do not condemn the atrocities committed by Hamas against innocent Israeli civilians.”

Condemnation of Hamas

However, Hamas strongly condemned the US veto. The Palestinian establishment expressed its deep disappointment in a note from the political office: “Washington’s action is unethical, inhumane. The US’s obstruction of the approval of the ceasefire decision is the direct participation of the occupation in the killing of our people.” and by committing further massacres and ethnic cleansing.”

“An act against humanity”

Doctors Without Borders also openly criticized the US decision, with Director General Avril Benoît saying: “As bombs continued to fall on Palestinian civilians and cause widespread destruction, the US once again used its power to block the United Nations Security Council initiative. The Council calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. By vetoing this decision, the USA, which is the only country that votes against humanity, is also complicit in the massacre in Gaza. The USA’s veto is in stark contrast to the values ​​it defends. The USA in Gaza By continuing to provide diplomatic cover to ongoing atrocities, it sends two clear signals: international humanitarian law can be applied selectively, and some people’s lives matter less than others.”

“Israel continues to indiscriminately attack people and civilian structures and impose a siege that amounts to collective punishment for the entire population of Gaza, which has been forced into mass displacement. Israel also denies access to medical care and humanitarian aid,” the MSF director said. To ensure that humanitarian workers can respond to enormous needs, the United States continues to provide political and financial support to Israel, which conducts its military operations regardless of the terrible cost to civilians. MSF is now calling for a ceasefire.”

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