US vetoes UN Security Council resolution calling for Gaza cease-fire
Washington says resolution would hinder diplomacy as humanitarian crisis deepens amid continuous bombardment from Israel
NEW YORK (MNTV) — The United States on Wednesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire and full humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip, dodging it with concerns that the measure would ‘disrupt ongoing diplomatic efforts’.
The draft resolution, introduced by 10 of the council’s 15 elected members, avoided language that explicitly blamed Hamas for the events of October 7, 2023, or demanded the group’s disarmament—positions Palestinians and many humanitarian advocates argue would politicize the humanitarian crisis and shift focus away from Israel’s ongoing military assault and blockade of Gaza.
“This resolution would undermine the fragile diplomatic negotiations underway and embolden Hamas by failing to hold them accountable,” said Dorothy Shea, Washington’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, ahead of the vote.
The resolution highlighted what it described as the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in Gaza and urged Israel to lift all restrictions on the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid, including by the U.N. and its partners.
Israel has faced growing international criticism over its obstruction aid convoys and using humanitarian access as leverage in the conflict.
Efforts to secure a lasting cease-fire have unraveled in recent weeks.
Although Hamas and the U.S. had initially agreed to specific terms and conditions in a proposed truce deal, Israel later pressured Washington to revise key elements in its favor—undermining the balance of the original agreement.
As a result, Hamas was forced to reject the altered proposal, which no longer addressed core humanitarian and political concerns.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues to worsen, with nearly all of the territory’s 2 million residents relying on aid for survival.
The latest tensions come after a U.S.- and Israeli-supported aid group halted food distribution at its Gaza sites following a deadly incident in which Israel killed dozens of Palestinians while attempting to access supplies.
Witnesses and health officials say Israeli forces opened fire on the crowds—an act that has sparked widespread condemnation.
The blocked resolution also called for the restoration of critical humanitarian services and compliance with international humanitarian law—provisions that rights groups argue Israel has routinely violated during the conflict.
The war has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure and left entire communities without access to electricity, clean water, or medical services.
“The world is witnessing civilians being gunned down while simply trying to find food,” said U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher.
He urged for a substantial increase in aid deliveries and reaffirmed that the United Nations must remain the central authority for coordinating relief efforts.
Since the conflict began, the Security Council has voted on 14 Gaza-related resolutions, approving only four.
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