On Thursday, the United States again exercised its veto and thwarted an appeal to the United Nations Security Council to a cease-fire in Gaza, protecting its Israel ally from significant diplomatic pressure.
The other 14 members of the Council supported the resolution, initiated in August in response to the official declaration of the UN famine after almost two years of Israel’s war against Hamas in Palestinian territory.
The vote came while the Israeli tanks and the jets have crossed Gaza City, the target of a new offensive on the ground, forcing the Palestinians to flee to the south.
The resolution text seen by AFP had demanded “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties” as well as the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages.
The United States has repeatedly rejected this approach several times, more recently in June when it used its veto to support Israel.
Find out more: Trump says he does not agree with Starmer of the United Kingdom in the Palestinian state
“That this resolution send a clear message, a message that the Security Council does not turn its back on hungry civilians, on the hostages and the cease-fire request,” said Denmark UN Ambassador Christina Lassen, before the vote.
“A generation may be lost not only because of the war – but also hunger and despair. Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its military operation to Gaza City, further deepening the suffering of civilians accordingly.
“It is this catastrophic situation, this humanitarian and human failure that has forced us to act today.”
Accusation of “genocide”
The veto of the previous United States has sparked an unusual spectacle of anger of the 14 other members of the Council, who are increasingly vocal in their frustration in the face of their apparent inability to put pressure on Israel to stop the suffering of the inhabitants of Gaza.
For the first time on Tuesday, an uncommapable international commission of inquiry gave its independent analysis, accusing Israel of having committed a “genocide” in Gaza since October 2023 with the intention of “destroying” the Palestinians.
The number will be at the heart of the UN annual UN summit next week in New York. “Resolutions against Israel will not free up hostages and will not bring the security of the region,” said the Ambassador of Israel to the UN, Danny Danon, before the vote.
“Israel will continue to fight Hamas and protect its citizens, even if the Security Council prefers to turn its eyes to terrorism.”
