United Nations likely to vote tomorrow on Gaza ceasefire; US signals veto

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations Security Council is likely to vote on Tuesday on an Algerian push for the 15-member body to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, said diplomats, a move the United States signaled it would veto.

Algeria put forward an initial draft resolution more than two weeks ago. But US Ambassador

to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield quickly said the text could jeopardize “sensitive negotiations” aimed at brokering a pause in the war.

Algeria requested on Saturday that the council vote on Tuesday, diplomats said. To be adopted, a UN Security Council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, China, or Russia.

“The United States does not support action on this draft resolution. Should it come up for a vote as drafted, it will not be adopted,” Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement on Saturday.

Washington traditionally shields its ally Israel from UN action and has already twice vetoed council action since October 7. But it has also abstained twice, allowing the council to adopt resolutions that aimed to boost humanitarian aid to Gaza and called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting.

Talks between the US, Egypt, Israel, and Qatar are going on to seek a pause in the war and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

“Other parties must give this process the best odds of succeeding, rather than push measures that put it – and the opportunity for an enduring resolution of hostilities – in jeopardy,” Thomas-Greenfield said.

The Gaza war began when fighters from the Hamas terrorist group that runs Gaza attacked Israel on October 7, viciously killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages. Israel launched a military assault on Gaza to return the hostages and dismantle Hamas. Health authorities, which are based in the Hamas-controlled enclave and have no corroboration, say the operation killed more than 28,000 Palestinians with thousands more bodies feared lost amid the ruins.

The likely council vote comes as Israel also plans to storm Rafah in southern Gaza, where more than 1 million Palestinians have sought shelter and wear Hamas leadership, its fighters, as well as the hostages may be sheltered among the civilians, prompting international concern that such a move would sharply worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“The situation in Gaza is an appalling indictment of the deadlock in global relations,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Munich Security Conference on Friday.

When asked to explain, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was “pointing the finger” at the lack of unity in the Security Council “and how that lack of unity has hampered our ability... to improve situations around the world.”