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By Hannah Parry and Sonam Sheth
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The United States on Wednesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The Context
The U.S. has played a key role as an interlocutor in ceasefire talks between Hamas and the Israeli government with respect to Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip.
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Israel launched its military offensive against Gaza in retaliation against Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Since the war started, tens of thousands of Gazans have been killed and millions have been displaced.
What To Know
The U.S. was the only Security Council member nation to vote against this week's measure, which called for humanitarian aid to be allowed to resume in Gaza.
All 14 other members of the council voted in favor of the resolution, which described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "catastrophic" and called on Israel to lift all restrictions on the delivery of aid to the 2.1 million Palestinians in the territory.
For a Security Council resolution to pass, it must receive nine votes with no vetoes from its five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
The U.S. has vetoed four resolutions calling for ceasefire since Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel. It abstained from voting on one resolution, allowing it to pass last year.
The U.S.'s acting ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, told the Security Council before the vote that the resolution would undermine Israel's security. Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, thanked the U.S. for its vote and said the resolution's failure to made the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas a condition for the ceasefire would have handed Hamas "time, leverage and political cover."
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But the U.S.'s vote was sharply criticized by other members of the Security Council, who accused Washington of allowing Israel to act with impunity.
What People Are Saying
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that the resolution would have only empowered Hamas, adding: "Hamas could end this brutal conflict immediately by laying down its arms and releasing all remaining hostages."
**Fu Cong, the Chinese ambassador to the UN, said Israel's actions in Gaza have "crossed every red line," and added: "**Yet, due to the shielding by one country, these violations have not been stopped or held accountable."
Barbara Woodward, Britain's ambassador to the UN, said: "This Israeli government's decisions to expand its military operations in Gaza and severely restrict aid are unjustifiable, disproportionate and counterproductive, and the U.K. completely opposes them."
What Happens Next
Israel and Hamas' ceasefire talks are still underway.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
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