The US has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution plan for immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution was co -ordinated by the ten elected members of the Council to address the worsening humanitarian disaster in the area.
The UN Security Council resolution on a truce in Gaza was coordinated by Slovenia and was co -founded by Algeria, France and Guiana, despite the US veto, voted by ten elected UN permanent members (GreeceSlovenia, Guyana, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Algeria, Somalia, South Korea, Panama and Denmark) and 4 permanent members (France, Russia, China, the United Kingdom).
This is the fifth time the US has vetoed a resolution plan for a truce in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war in October 2023.
The short text of the resolution included three paragraphs requesting: the immediate and unconditional permanent ceasefire, the dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and the complete lifting of restrictions and obstacles to the entrance and distribution of humanitarian aid.
Despite the intense diplomatic consultations of recent days, the US has refused to support the text, citing the absence of an explicit condemnation of Hamas and supporting the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) assistance mechanism, promoted by the US and Israel.
France and the United Kingdom had also called for the addition of Hamas condemnation, while Russia proposed deletions of references to the IPC report and resolution 2735 (2024), in which it had abstained.
USA: The etiology of veto
After the vote, Assoc. US Permanent Representative Dorothy Shay explained US opposition to resolution.
“It should not be surprising,” as it is “not accepted for what he says, what he does not say and the way he was promoted,” Mrs Shay said.
He stressed that the failure of the text to condemn Hamas is a key reason for the US opposition.
“The United States was clear that they would not support any measures that do not condemn Hamas and does not call for its dissolution and departure from Gaza,” he added.
He emphasized that Hamas recently rejected multiple ceasefire proposals, including one who was filed last weekend, which would lead to the cessation of hostilities and release of hostages.
“I cannot allow the Security Council to reward Hamas’s intolerance,” Ms Sei said, recalling that “Hamas committed the worst massacre of Jews than the Holocaust” on October 7, 2023.
Mrs Shay criticized the Council’s inability to treat Hamas as a key factor in the crisis. “It is incomprehensible that many members of the Council still refuse to recognize that Hamas could end this conflict tomorrow, delivering weapons,” he said, adding that it was “unacceptable” that the UN has not yet described Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Referring to Israel’s actions, Mrs Sei reiterated Washington’s timeless position. “Israel has the right to self -defense, including the right to defeat Hamas and to ensure that it will never be able to threaten it again,” he said.
He stressed that the proposed resolution “would undermine diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire” and “strengthen Hamas”.
Mrs Shay also condemned the “false equation between Israel and Hamas” which, he said, is “wrong and dangerous”. He criticized the phrase for “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire”, arguing that it would “let Hamas be able to launch new attacks such as that of October 7”.
The United States also doubted doubts about previous humanitarian aid mechanisms, which, he said, “allowed Hamas to be enriched at the expense of the Palestinians” and called on the support of the Humanitarian Aid Foundation in Gaza (GHF).
He also called for a decisive change of strategy. “Hamas and other terrorist organizations should have no future in Gaza”and cited a statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that “if a spark is left alive, it would be fire again.”
He also denounced the “theatrical” nature of the resolution. “The performances on the Council aimed at vetoes … are harmful at a time when delicate diplomacy is evolving,” he said.
He also stressed that “at a time when the Security Council is dealing with symbolic moves, our negotiators are in the field trying to reach a real agreement on the liberation of hostages, a ceasefire and humanitarian aid.”
In closing, he reiterated the US’s commitment to release hostages that are still being held by Hamas.
Israel against UN Security Council members
Israel’s permanent representative to the UN, Danny Danon, speaking at the meeting, strongly criticized the plan of resolution. “You have chosen the appeasement and submission. You have chosen a road that does not lead to peace, but to more terror, “he said.
He also accused some members of the Council of avoiding the truth. “Instead of dealing with the truth, some on the council tried to bury it. Instead of putting pressure on where you need – in Hamas – you practiced it in the country that is trying to bring back its citizens. “
Continuing, he warned of the message sent by the “Hamas Terrorists” vote.
“This vote is not diplomacy. It’s a tradition. And he sends a clear message to Hamas: He rejected every agreement and the international community will reward you. Keep innocent citizens hostage and the United Nations will provide you with legalization. He continued the war and the pressure will turn to Israel again – not to the terrorists who started him. “
Mr Danon thanked the United States for their veto. “We thank the United States who stood on the right side. Who stood on the side of truth, justice and moral clarity. Thank you for refusing to abandon the hostages and refused to legitimize the lies of the resolution. “
Greek permanent vice -spoken ambassador Evangelos Sekeris described a humanitarian catastrophe that has been evolving for months, stressing that “every day that passes, more Palestinians are in danger of dying, after thousands of deaths already recorded”.
The situation, he said, has reached such an extent that “reports are warning of starvation”.
“Hundreds are in danger of succumbing to their injuries due to suspension or cessation of health services,” he said.
In response to this critical situation, Mr Sekeris said, the elected members of the Council proposed a resolution plan aimed at dealing with it.
Greece also condemned the attacks of October 7, 2023, “We strongly condemn the horrible terrorist attacks committed by Hamas and other terrorist organizations,” Mr Sekeris said, stressing the need for immediate humanitarian response, calling for “immediate cessation”.
Addressing Israel, he called on the country “to allow immediate, complete and uninterrupted entry of humanitarian aid to a large scale in all parts of the Gaza Strip”, stressing that this is “clearly defined by international law”. The restoration of electricity and water was also described as a necessary step.
Although she welcomed the “partial resumption of aid distribution”, Greece stressed that this “is not enough”.
Mr Sekeris appealed to the renewal of diplomatic efforts. “Peace cannot be imposed by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. “
The forthcoming international conference in New York, with a co -chair of France and Saudi Arabia, referred to Greece as a possible turning point for “revitalizing the political process” to a two -state solution so that “Palestinians and Israelis can finally be able to live with the side”.
According to the UN, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened dramatically after the collapse of the temporary truce in March and the resumption of Israeli military operations.
With the distribution of assistance being limited and the basic infrastructure damaged, the UN warns of impending famine and mass casualties.
The recent activation of the GHF humanitarian aid distribution mechanism, which operates without the involvement of the UN and its partners, has caused severe criticism, while in recent days Palestinian civilians have been killed in two incidents near GHF’s ​​distribution points in Rafa.
Secretary -General Antonio Guterres condemned the attacks and called for “immediate, independent investigation” and “accountability for those responsible”.