U.S. vetoes resolution for a Gaza cease-fire
Measure called for an immediate truce, no hostage release
The U.S. on Tuesday cast the sole vote against a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have called for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, saying it feared it could disrupt hostage negotiations.
It was the third time the U.S. wielded its veto to block a resolution demanding a stop to fighting in Gaza, underlining the United States' isolation in its continued, forceful backing of Israel.
Over four months of war, Israel has come under increasing international pressure over the scope and intensity of its campaign against Hamas in Gaza, with many leaders decrying the high civilian death toll.
Algeria's U.N. ambassador, Amar Bendjama, lashed out at the United States on Tuesday, telling the council that the veto “implies an endorsement of the brutal violence and collective punishment inflicted upon” the Palestinians. He said that “silence is not a viable option; now is the time for action and the time for truth.”
The diplomatic maneuvering comes at a time when aid organizations are warning that urgent assistance is needed for a population suffering from severe malnutrition and the spread of infectious disease.
Thirteen Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution, which was drafted by Algeria, while Britain abstained.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., said the resolution would jeopardize the United States' continuing negotiation efforts with Qatar and Egypt to broker a deal that would release hostages from Gaza in exchange for a temporary humanitarian cease-fire. Those negotiations have stumbled, with neither Israel nor Hamas reaching a consensus on the terms.
“Any action the council takes right now should help, not hinder, these sensitive and ongoing negotiations,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “Demanding an immediate unconditional cease-fire without an agreement requiring Hamas to release the hostages will not bring endurable peace.”
Aid agencies were scathing in their criticism of the U.S. position. Avril Benoit, the executive director of Doctors Without Borders in the U.S., called the repeated blocking of ceasefire resolutions by the U.S. “unconscionable.”
“The United States at the U.N. Security Council is effectively sabotaging all efforts to bring assistance,” she said at a panel Tuesday with other leaders of aid organizations.
“The statements are one thing, the actions are another. We see that a ceasefire is the only way to ensure the safe delivery of assistance.”
Israeli and U.S. officials have argued that an immediate cease-fire would allow Hamas to regroup and fortify in Gaza, and reduce the pressure for making a deal to release hostages held in the territory.
The U.S. has drafted a rival resolution, which is still in early stages of negotiations, that calls for a temporary humanitarian cease-fire “as soon as practicable,” and the release of hostages.
The draft resolution's use of the term “cease-fire” would be a first for the U.S. since the war in Gaza began.
The draft also states that Israel's army must not carry out an offensive in Rafah under the current conditions there.