The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas, despite overwhelming support from other member states. The vote, with 14 in favor and only the U.S. opposed, came as Gaza faces a worsening humanitarian crisis, with famine looming and aid delivery still limited.
U.S. Acting Ambassador to the U.N., Dorothy Shea, defended the veto, claiming the resolution failed to condemn Hamas or call for its disarmament and withdrawal from Gaza. Shea also argued that the draft would disrupt U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to broker a truce. Washington’s stance has sparked backlash from humanitarian groups and several nations, including traditional allies, as Israel intensifies its military operations in the enclave.
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Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon slammed countries backing the resolution, accusing them of “appeasement” and insisting Hamas must be defeated, not accommodated. Meanwhile, Hamas denounced the U.S. veto as evidence of American bias. The draft also demanded the immediate release of hostages, which both sides have failed to agree on during ongoing talks.
Controversy is also growing around the U.S.- and Israeli-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a new aid distribution channel bypassing traditional U.N. operations. Aid organizations have criticized the GHF for lacking neutrality and forcing displacement, with no aid distributed on Wednesday due to safety concerns after a deadly incident.
As diplomatic pressure builds, a similar resolution is expected to move to the U.N. General Assembly, where it is likely to pass without the barrier of a veto. Still, with no clear path to consensus, civilian suffering in Gaza continues to escalate.
