US Vetoes UN Resolution Calling for Gaza Cease-Fire for the Fourth Time

The United States blocks a UN resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza, marking its fourth veto amid escalating conflict. 

On Wednesday, the United States once again vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that called for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza conflict. The opposition was due to the resolution’s demand for the unconditional release of hostages captured by Palestinian militant groups in Israel in October 2023.

The council strongly supported the resolution, with 14 out of its 15 members casting a “yes” vote, including U.S. allies Britain and France; however, it was ultimately defeated by the veto.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood stated that the United States had spent weeks trying to prevent a veto of the resolution backed by the council’s ten elected members, and he expressed disappointment that an agreement on language could not be reached.

“We consistently emphasized during negotiations that we couldn’t back an unconditional ceasefire without the release of the hostages,” he stated.

Hamas might have viewed it as validation of its manipulative strategy, relying on the international community to overlook the plight of over 100 hostages from more than 20 countries who have been held for 410 days.

The resolution presented for voting “calls for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent cease-fire to be honored by all parties, while also reaffirming its demand for the swift and unconditional release of all hostages.”

The emotional reaction from Palestinian Deputy U.N. Ambassador Majed Bamya to the veto highlighted the widespread anger and disappointment over the failure of the U.N.’s most influential body to call for an end to a war lasting more than 13 months, which has resulted in over 43,000 Palestinian deaths according to Gaza’s health ministry and left much of the territory devastated.

Bamya informed the council that without a cease-fire, Israel’s comprehensive assault on both Palestinian people and land continues unabated. “Implementing a cease-fire would save lives—everyone’s lives. This was true last year, and it holds even more significance today,” he stated.

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“Attempt to destroy a nation”

Highlighting the tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, Bamya questioned, “Do they hold the right to kill while our only right is to die?”

He informed council members, “You are witnessing an attempt to annihilate and destroy a nation.”

Algeria’s U.N. ambassador, Amar Bendjama, representing the Arab nations on the council, expressed that after the veto decision, Israel receives a message stating: “You are allowed to continue your genocide and collective punishment of the Palestinian people without facing any consequences. In this chamber, you have immunity.”

However, he promised that the elected members would soon return with an even stronger resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which allows for military enforcement—and they are determined to persist until the council acts.

Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Danny Danon, argued that the resolution “was not a route to peace but rather a blueprint for increased terror, greater suffering and further bloodshed.”

He expressed gratitude to the United States, Israel’s closest ally, for using its veto and standing on the side of morality and justice by refusing to abandon the hostages and their families.

Hamas issued a statement vehemently criticizing the veto, asserting that the United States had once again shown “its direct involvement in aggression against our people, participating as an accomplice in the killing of children and women and the total devastation of civilian life in Gaza.”

Hamas stated, “If the U.S. genuinely aims to end wars and bring about security and stability in the region as promised by the incoming administration,” referring to President-elect Donald Trump’s commitment to ending the war in Gaza, “then we demand an end to this inept hostile policy.”

The Security Council has passed multiple resolutions concerning Gaza, advocating for a ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and demanding humanitarian access. Previously, both Russia and China have vetoed U.S.-proposed resolutions on the conflict that they criticized.

In June, the council passed its inaugural resolution concerning a cease-fire plan designed to halt the conflict between Israel and Hamas. This U.S.-backed resolution endorsed a cease-fire proposal announced by President Joe Biden, initially attributed by the United States to Israel. However, it was later revealed that this idea originated from Tel Aviv. The resolution urged Hamas to accept the three-phase plan; nevertheless, hostilities continue unabated.

The Palestinian deputy ambassador attributed the responsibility to Israel, stating, “It is evident that Israel has never intended to agree to a cease-fire and has consistently found reasons not to pursue one.”

After the vote, Guyana’s U.N. ambassador, Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, read a statement from the 10 elected council members indicating their unanimous support for the June resolution “with the expectation that a cease-fire deal would have been agreed upon and implemented swiftly.”

However, months later, the 10 elected members concluded that a new resolution should extend further by making an unequivocal demand for an unconditional ceasefire without any time limitations.

Despite the U.S. veto, the elected members emphasized that it is crucial for the war in Gaza to end immediately, hostages should be released without delay, humanitarian aid must reach all parts of Gaza promptly, and civilians along with civilian infrastructure need to be safeguarded.

“Our united efforts to cease the hostilities will continue,” they stated.