The United States has vetoed a resolution at the United Nations that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, proposing its own draft instead, urging a temporary ceasefire. The US expressed concerns that the original resolution would “jeopardize” talks to end the war.
The move has been met with condemnation from US allies, who expressed regret that the original ceasefire motion was blocked by the White House. The US has previously refrained from using the word “ceasefire” during UN votes on the war. However, President Joe Biden has recently made statements aligning with the proposed temporary ceasefire.
Algeria’s resolution received the backing of thirteen countries on the 15-member Security Council, while the UK abstained. The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, emphasized that it was not the right time to call for an immediate ceasefire while negotiations between Hamas and Israel were ongoing.
The draft resolution proposed by the US calls for a temporary ceasefire “as soon as practicable” and on the condition that all hostages are released, as well as urging barriers on aid reaching Gaza to be lifted. It remains uncertain if or when the Security Council will vote on the form of words proposed by Washington.
Following the US veto, Algeria’s envoy to the UN criticized the decision, stating that the ceasefire resolution “would have sent a strong message to Palestinians” and expressed disappointment that the Security Council failed to adopt it.
The Palestinian representative to the UN, Riyad Mansour, condemned the US veto as “absolutely reckless and dangerous.” Additionally, Israeli and US allies criticized the move, with France’s representative expressing regret that the resolution was “not adopted given the disastrous situation on the ground.”
On the other hand, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted his commitment to continue the war until all of its goals are achieved, emphasizing that no pressure can change this. The US has faced international pressure to rein in Israel’s operations and has notably emphasized its ally’s right to self-defense.
The US draft resolution represents a significant shift in American policy, indicating frustration with the Israeli government’s response to humanitarian aid and civilian casualties.
It is the first time the US has called for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza at the UN, having vetoed previous resolutions using the word. This move has placed pressure on President Biden from Arab-Americans to do more to halt the killings of Palestinians.
Amid speculation about the implications of the US resolution on the Israeli government, it has been noted that a temporary ceasefire linked to talks on hostages releases could give “immense leverage to Hamas.”
The US draft resolution also warns of the potential harm to civilians and their further displacement in the event of a major ground offensive in Rafah, with implications for regional peace and security.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with displacements and conditions worsening. The UN has issued warnings about a planned Israeli offensive in Rafah, expressing concern about a potential “slaughter.” The population faces unparalleled intensity, brutality, and scope of assault, leading to dire humanitarian conditions.
Despite the complexities and ongoing negotiations, tensions in Gaza persist, with casualties on both sides and significant international pressure to secure a ceasefire.
