The United States on Wednesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution demanding an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent” ceasefire in Gaza, as Israeli forces intensified strikes on Gaza and southern Lebanon.
The 15-member council debated a resolution drafted by 10 non-permanent members. However, the US, wielding its veto power as a permanent member, was the sole dissenting vote, blocking the proposal.
Robert Wood, the deputy US ambassador to the UN, defended the decision, stating that the resolution failed to address the release of hostages held in Gaza as a necessary component of a ceasefire.
“A sustainable end to the conflict must include the immediate release of hostages. These two objectives are inseparable,” Wood explained. “By neglecting this critical aspect, the resolution risked sending a harmful signal to Hamas, suggesting they could avoid negotiations.”
The US veto sparked global condemnation, particularly as Israel’s ongoing military campaign has claimed over 44,000 Palestinian lives and left over 100,000 injured since the war began on October 7, 2023.
Vanessa Frazier, Malta’s UN Ambassador, criticized the move, saying, “It is profoundly regrettable that the council has once again failed in its duty to uphold international peace and security due to the veto. This resolution was the bare minimum to address the dire situation on the ground.”
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China’s UN Ambassador, Fu Cong, condemned the US stance, noting that the death toll in Gaza has escalated with each American veto.
“How many more lives must be lost before there’s an awakening?” Fu asked. “Insisting on preconditions for a ceasefire effectively endorses the continuation of violence and the ongoing loss of innocent lives.”
Hamas accused the United States of complicity in what it called a “genocidal war” against Gaza. In a statement, the group declared, “The United States is directly responsible for Israel’s aggression against our people. It stands as a partner in these crimes, enabling the destruction of civilian life in Gaza.”
The Palestinian Authority also denounced the US veto, asserting that it emboldens Israel to persist in its actions.
Heavy Casualties in North Gaza
As diplomatic deadlock persists, an Israeli airstrike on Beit Lahia in northern Gaza killed at least 66 Palestinians, most of them women and children, early Thursday morning. Reports indicate over 100 others were injured in the attack.
Elsewhere in the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces targeted western Khan Younis, Gaza City, and Al-Mawasi, resulting in multiple fatalities.
In neighboring Lebanon, an Israeli strike on the town of Maarakeh, near Tyre, left five people dead and at least 23 wounded, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. Over the past 24 hours, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed at least 14 people, according to the country’s health ministry.
The violence coincided with the arrival of US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein in Israel for talks following discussions with Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri about a possible ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.
Israel’s campaign in Gaza has caused widespread devastation, leaving over 43,000 Palestinians dead and more than 104,000 injured. The humanitarian crisis has deepened, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble and critical infrastructure obliterated.