US Vetoes UN Cease-Fire Resolution Amid Escalating Israel-Hamas Conflict
The United States exercised its veto power at the United Nations on Friday, blocking a resolution that called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. The resolution, supported by almost all Security Council members and numerous nations, aimed to address the dire humanitarian crisis in the region, with UN chief António Guterres referring to it as a “humanitarian nightmare.”
US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood criticized the resolution, stating that it was “divorced from reality” and would not contribute to progress on the ground. Wood expressed disappointment in the council’s failure to condemn Hamas for the October 7 massacres in Israel and underscored Israel’s right to defend itself.
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, thanked US President Joe Biden for the veto, emphasizing the need to eliminate Hamas in order to reach a lasting cease-fire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, asserting that Israel would continue its justified war against Hamas.
The resolution, put forward by the United Arab Emirates, highlighted the catastrophic situation in Gaza, calling for the protection of civilians, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.
Despite the veto, concerns are growing about the escalating conflict’s impact on regional stability. Guterres warned of a “serious risk” to international peace, with potential spillover into the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. The UN secretary general’s urgency triggered Article 99, prompting the Security Council vote.
Amid growing international pressure, including discussions between US Vice President Kamala Harris and Arab leaders, the situation in Gaza remains dire. With conflicting narratives and a rising death toll, the international community faces challenges in finding a resolution to the conflict, while the consequences continue to reverberate across the region, impacting both Israelis and Palestinians.
