The United States has once again vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have determined the fate of the ongoing ceasefire efforts and brought an end to the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
The US has repeatedly vetoed Gaza ceasefire resolutions, shielding Israel from charges of genocidal crimes against humanity. The text would also have demanded the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas. It is the sixth time the US has cast a veto in the Security Council since the war in Gaza began nearly two years ago.
More than 140 world leaders voted on a ceasefire proposal drafted by the member states on Thursday, while the majority of the nations voted in favour of the proposal, the United States, one of the five permanent members, vetoed the draft resolution.
The resolution was backed by 14 member states, 4 permanent and 10 non-permanent members, including France, the UK, Russia and China, while the US was against the resolution from the get-go. Even after the US opposition, member states voted on the draft resolution, sending a clear message to the Israeli government and its backers.
The voting took place amidst the ongoing Israeli military campaign targeting Gaza City to reoccupy it, though the international community, along with experts, have shared their reservations, saying that Israel won't be able to win Gaza, considering there are hostages in the buildings.
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While Netanyahu is ok with sacrificing the hostages, as parents of the captives say, his government is going through tough times as he himself is facing a corruption trial and risking civil war in the country. Thursday's vote was the sixth time the US had cast a veto in the Security Council over the nearly two-year war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.
The US veto triggered a massive backlash from member states. Denmark’s UN ambassador, Christina Lassen, warned, "Let this resolution send a clear message, a message that the Security Council is not turning its back on starving civilians, on the hostages and on the demand for a ceasefire.”
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"A generation risks being lost not only to war but also to hunger and despair." Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its military operation in Gaza City, further deepening the suffering of civilians as a result.
"It is this catastrophic situation, this humanitarian and human failure, that has compelled us to act today." Pakistan's ambassador, Asim Ahmad, called the veto a "dark moment in this chamber". "The world is watching. The cries of children should pierce our hearts," he said. The 14 member states sharply condemned the US government’s move to block the resolution. They said this issue will be central in the UNGA session in New York next week.
The member states also said that they will not abandon the issue and will try every effort to pressure Israel, boycott, and force Israel out of the international forums if it doesn’t stop the actions in Gaza.
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