US Vetoes Major Security Council Resolution for Gaza Ceasefire

The United States vetoed a resolution proposed by the United Nations Security Council yesterday, which aimed to bring an immediate end to the war in Gaza.

The resolution, which primarily targeted Israel, was agreed upon by the other 14 members of the council, which include four of the five permanent members (China, France, UK, and Russia) and all ten non-permanent members (Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia).

The proposal would have mandated Israel to revoke all of their restrictions on aid entering Gaza, along with an immediate ceasefire, and Hamas would have been required to release all Israeli hostages.

However, the US – a strong ally of Israel and a permanent member of the Security Council – continues to use their power to veto any sort of UN resolution meant to assist the Palestinians suffering in Gaza, stating that the resolution did not work to condemn Hamas. In fact, this is the sixth time the country has vetoed a solution that would have required an immediate ceasefire, claiming that such actions would strengthen Hamas terrorists and prove to them that actions like October 7 are acceptable. Israel backed this view, alleging that the deal would not release the hostages and would fail to bring peace to Gaza.

Nevertheless, the other nations of the Security Council strongly condemned the US' decision to veto, with Algeria apologizing to the Palestinian population for not doing enough to save their lives. Pakistan labeled the veto as "a dark moment" and called the US' actions "deeply regrettable and painful,"

The resolution came just as the United Nations Human Rights Council confirmed that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, as well as the fact that a new Israeli offensive into Gaza City has just begun. The new invasions have led to renewed strikes across Gaza's population epicenter, with Israel aiming to eliminate additional Hamas bases as new intel comes in.

It also comes just four days before the beginning of the United Nations General Assembly, where the High-Level Week will begin on Monday. The UN is expected to take significant action to add pressure to Israel to end the war, and various countries such as the UK, France, Canada, and Australia will formally recognize Palestine as a state.

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