US Vetoes UN Security Council Resolution Demanding Gaza Ceasefire
US Vetoes UN Security Council Resolution Demanding Gaza Ceasefire: On November 20, 2024, the United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent” ceasefire in Gaza. This marks the fourth time the Biden administration has used its veto power regarding ceasefire resolutions since the onset of the conflict in October 2023. The resolution was supported by 14 of the 15 council members but was blocked by the US, which argued that it failed to link the ceasefire to the immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas during the conflict.
US Justification for Veto: The US government, represented by Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood, stated that it could not endorse a resolution that did not explicitly connect a ceasefire to the release of hostages. Wood emphasized that these objectives are fundamentally interconnected and criticized the resolution for neglecting this critical point. He also noted that previous negotiations had included compromise language that was rejected by other council members.
International Reactions: The veto has drawn significant criticism from various nations and organizations. Algeria’s UN envoy expressed frustration over the US’s obstruction, stating it sends a “dangerous message” to Hamas and undermines efforts to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza. Palestinian representatives condemned the veto as enabling ongoing violence against civilians in Gaza, where humanitarian conditions have deteriorated drastically due to continued Israeli military operations.
Context of the Conflict: The conflict escalated following a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties and hostage-taking. In response, Israel launched extensive military operations in Gaza, leading to a humanitarian crisis with reports of nearly 44,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread displacement.
