The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the lifting of Israeli restrictions on aid deliveries, and the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas and other groups.
The draft text, introduced by the council’s 10 elected members, won 14 votes in favor, with Washington the sole opponent. It was the sixth U.S. veto since the war between Israel and Hamas began nearly two years ago.
“Famine has been confirmed in Gaza — not projected, not declared, confirmed,” Denmark’s UN Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen told the council before the vote, stressing that Israeli operations in Gaza City were worsening civilian suffering.
Washington Defends Position
The U.S. said its veto reflected Hamas’s refusal to end the war. “Israel has accepted proposed terms that would end the war, but Hamas continues to reject them,” U.S. diplomat Morgan Ortagus said. “This war could end today if Hamas freed the hostages and laid down its arms.”
The veto came just a week after the U.S. supported a council statement condemning recent strikes in Qatar — without directly naming Israel — in a rare departure from its usual stance of shielding its ally.
Israel Welcomes US Support
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon said his country was unhappy with last week’s statement but underscored the strength of ties with Washington. He added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address the UN General Assembly next week before meeting U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on September 29.
Mounting Human Toll
The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacks killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages, according to Israel. Gaza’s health authorities say more than 64,000 people, also mostly civilians, have been killed since.
The Security Council is expected to reconvene on Gaza in a high-level session on Tuesday as world leaders gather in New York.
