The United States has cast its sixth veto at the UN Security Council, blocking a draft resolution that called for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid deliveries.
The resolution, drafted by the 10 elected members of the 15-member council, also demanded the dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other militant groups. While 14 council members voted in favor, the U.S. veto prevented its adoption.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
“Famine has been confirmed in Gaza – not projected, not declared, confirmed,” said Denmark’s UN Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen before the vote.
She added:
“Israel has expanded its military operation in Gaza City, further deepening civilian suffering. This catastrophic humanitarian and human failure has compelled us to act today.”
Last month, global hunger monitors confirmed that Gaza City and surrounding areas are officially suffering famine, with projections showing the crisis is set to spread.
U.S. Position: Shielding Israel
The U.S. has consistently shielded Israel at the UN, despite occasionally backing critical statements. Last week, Washington supported a Security Council statement condemning recent strikes on Qatar, though the text avoided naming Israel as responsible.
Explaining Thursday’s veto, U.S. diplomat Morgan Ortagus told the council:
“Hamas is responsible for starting and continuing this war. Israel has accepted proposed terms that would end the war, but Hamas continues to reject them. This war could end today if Hamas freed the hostages and laid down its arms.”
Israel’s Response
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon acknowledged that Israel was displeased with the Security Council statement on Qatar strikes, but stressed:
“The level of cooperation with the U.S. is so high that we were OK with that.”
He also confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington after addressing the UN General Assembly next week to meet with President Donald Trump on September 29.
War Toll
The conflict was triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw about 251 hostages taken, according to Israeli figures. Since then, more than 64,000 people – also mostly civilians – have been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
The UN Security Council is set to hold a high-level meeting on Gaza on Tuesday, coinciding with the annual General Assembly session of world leaders.
