The US Has Blocked A UN Resolution Calling For An Immediate Ceasefire In Gaza For The Third Time
The US representative said that the resolution draft would jeopardize ongoing negotiations for releasing hostages held in Gaza.
The US has blocked a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, despite increasing pressure on president Joe Biden to reduce support for Israel.
This is the third time that the US has blocked a Security Council resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza from passing.
The resolution drafted by Algeria on behalf of the Arab states called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to be respected by all parties.
It objected to the “forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population” and demanded the release of captives taken by Hamas on Oct. 7.
The vote on Tuesday, Feb. 20, came after Israel began bombing Rafah in southern Gaza, where 1.4 million Palestinians are trapped, which Israel has insisted it intends to invade.
Addressing the council before the vote, Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama said the Security Council should uphold its mandate as the custodian of international peace and security.
“Today, every Palestinian is a target for death, extermination, and genocide. We should also ask ourselves how many innocent lives must be sacrificed before the Council deems necessary to call for a ceasefire?” he said.
13 out of the 15 members of the UN Security Council voted in favor of the draft, with the UK abstaining and the US voting against.
The resolution failed to pass as the US – which is a permanent member of the Security Council alongside China, France, Russia, and the UK – vetoed it.
The US representative said that the resolution draft would jeopardize ongoing negotiations for releasing hostages held in Gaza.
“Demanding an immediate, unconditional ceasefire without an agreement requiring Hamas to release the hostages will not bring about a durable peace,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.
The US has instead proposed a rival draft resolution advocating for a “temporary ceasefire” while also calling for Israel to not move forward with its Rafah invasion.
However, it is expected to be vetoed by countries such as Russia and China, both also permanent members.
Since Oct. 7, Israel’s airstrikes and ground offensive has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in Gaza.
