US Vetoes UN Call For Ceasefire as Gaza Crisis Worsens
The United States has once again vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, marking its sixth veto on the issue since the war began. The draft, backed by 14 of the 15 council members, also called for the release of all hostages and unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza. But US envoy Morgan Ortagus defended the veto, saying the resolution “fails to condemn Hamas or recognise Israel’s right to defend itself,” and accused it of “legitimising false narratives benefitting Hamas.”
The veto comes as conditions in Gaza reach critical levels. Denmark’s UN Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen warned that “famine has been confirmed in Gaza – not projected, not declared, confirmed,” while others described civilians being killed while trying to find food. The UN’s humanitarian office has said Gaza City's last lifelines are collapsing as Israel presses ahead with a renewed ground offensive. According to Palestinian health officials, over 65,000 people have died since the conflict began, including thousands of women and children.
Many countries condemned the US decision to veto. Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour called it “deeply regrettable” and accused Washington of blocking efforts to stop “atrocity crimes.” Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama told the chamber, “Palestinian brothers, Palestinian sisters, forgive us,” as he slammed the international system’s “bias.” Meanwhile, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon thanked the US for the veto, insisting Israel needed “no justification” for its war, and said the fight against Hamas would continue regardless of UN pressure.
