On September 18, the US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent" ceasefire in Gaza, as well as Israel lifting all restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave.
Points of attention
- The US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution for the sixth time, emphasizing the need for a balanced condemnation of Hamas and recognition of Israel's right to self-defense.
- The resolution aimed at an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, along with the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, with 14 out of 15 Security Council members supporting the draft.
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza involves demanding the dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other armed groups, further complicating the peace negotiations.
US vetoes UN Security Council resolution on Gaza for sixth time
The document also calls for the immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other armed groups.
The draft resolution was supported by 14 of the 15 members of the Security Council. The document was adopted in response to the UN's official declaration of famine in Gaza after almost two years of Israel's war with the Hamas group.
Deputy US Special Representative for the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, said that the text of the resolution does not sufficiently condemn Hamas and does not recognize Israel's right to self-defense.
Hamas is responsible for starting and continuing this war. Israel has accepted proposed terms that could end the war, but Hamas continues to reject them. This war could end today if Hamas released its hostages and laid down its arms,” Ortagus said before the vote in the UN Security Council.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon announced that after his speech at the annual UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump on September 29.
The UN Security Council also plans to hold a high-level meeting on the situation in Gaza on Tuesday, September 23.
