New York City, United States – The United Nations Security Council faced a setback as a United States resolution aiming to secure a ceasefire in Gaza failed to pass after two permanent members exercised their veto power. The draft resolution, presented to the Council, received 11 votes in favor, three against from Russia, China, and Algeria, and one abstention from Guyana.
The resolution, intended to emphasize the need for an immediate and sustained ceasefire while condemning a recent attack by Hamas, faced resistance from both Russia and China, who vetoed the resolution. Russia’s ambassador to the UN criticized the draft as overly politicized, accusing the US of not pressuring Israel and providing a potential green light for military action in Gaza.
China’s representative echoed similar sentiments, stating that the resolution’s language was ambiguous and failed to address the crucial issue of achieving a ceasefire in the near future. Critics noted that while the US promoted the resolution as calling for a ceasefire, it fell short of demanding an end to the conflict.
Following the veto, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield criticized Russia for prioritizing politics over progress, highlighting the lack of meaningful efforts from both Russia and China to advance peace. This marks the third time the US has vetoed resolutions demanding a ceasefire, with the latest resolution seeking to link a temporary ceasefire to the release of hostages in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the 10 elected members of the Security Council have been working on their own resolution, advocating for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan. France has also pledged to introduce a new UN resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, with President Emmanuel Macron expressing determination to collaborate with partners to reach an agreement.
The ongoing challenges in securing a ceasefire in Gaza underscore the complex dynamics and differing viewpoints within the Security Council, highlighting the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in the region. As global leaders grapple with finding common ground, the impact of the conflict on innocent civilians continues to devastate communities and raise concerns about the prospects for lasting peace.