The United States has exercised its veto power in the United Nations Security Council, rejecting a resolution urging an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.
On Friday, the United Arab Emirates proposed a concise draft resolution, receiving approval from thirteen Security Council members, while the United Kingdom chose to abstain.
The decision followed a rare move by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday, formally alerting the 15-member council about the global threat posed by the two-month-long war.
While expressing strong support for a lasting peace allowing both Israel and Palestine to coexist peacefully, the United States articulated its opposition to immediate ceasefire calls.
Deputy US Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, argued that such a move would only lay the groundwork for future conflicts, asserting that Hamas lacks the inclination for a durable peace and a two-state solution.
The stance of the US and Israel against a ceasefire stems from their belief that it would disproportionately benefit Hamas. Instead, Washington advocates for temporary halts in hostilities to safeguard civilians and facilitate the release of hostages taken by Hamas during a deadly attack on Israel on October 7.
A seven-day pause, marked by the release of some hostages by Hamas and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, concluded on December 1.
Despite previous unsuccessful attempts to take decisive action, the Security Council had, in the preceding month, called for intermittent pauses in fighting to enable access for aid to Gaza. Guterres, on Friday, characterized the situation as a “spiraling humanitarian nightmare.”
The US favors pursuing its diplomatic initiatives over Security Council intervention to secure the release of additional hostages and to pressure Israel to enhance civilian protection in its Gaza offensive, initiated in response to the Hamas attack that, according to Israel, claimed 1,200 lives. Gaza’s Health Ministry, however, reports a higher casualty toll, with more than 17,480 people killed in the Israeli assault.
