Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a controversial move that underscores deepening divisions on the global stage, the United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Thursday that called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas. The veto came despite overwhelming international support, with 14 of the 15 Security Council members voting in favor.
The resolution, drafted by the council’s 10 elected non-permanent members, described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “catastrophic” and called on Israel to lift all restrictions on aid delivery to the territory’s 2.1 million residents. It also tied the demand for a ceasefire directly to the release of hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel a key demand of the United States in previous negotiations.
But U.S. officials, including senior policy adviser Morgan Ortagus, argued the resolution did not go far enough in condemning Hamas and failed to affirm Israel’s right to defend itself. “It wrongly legitimizes the false narratives benefiting Hamas, which have sadly found currency in this council,” Ortagus said, describing the resolution as “performative action designed to draw a veto.”
The move places the U.S. increasingly at odds with the international community, as even some of its closest allies, such as the U.K. and France broke ranks to vote in favor of the resolution. It also comes just days before the opening of the U.N. General Assembly, where several major countries are expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state, a symbolic gesture staunchly opposed by both Washington and Tel Aviv.
Palestinian Frustration and Global Dismay
The veto was met with anger and disappointment by Palestinian officials and many in the international community. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the U.N., said he could understand the “anger and frustration” of the Palestinian people watching the Council “hoping that this nightmare could be brought to an end.”
Algeria, a key proponent of the resolution, expressed regret that the measure failed. “Fourteen courageous members of this Security Council raised their voice,” said Algerian ambassador Amar Bendjama. “They have acted with conscience and in the cause of the international public opinion.” Pakistan’s ambassador went further, describing the vote held during the Council’s 10,000th meeting as “a dark moment.”
Israel Unmoved Amid Renewed Offensive
Israel, which continues its latest ground offensive in Gaza City, dismissed the resolution and defended the U.S. veto. “This resolution will not release the hostages and will not bring security to the region,” said Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon. “Israel will continue to fight Hamas and protect its citizens, even if the Security Council prefers to turn a blind eye to terrorism.”
The Israeli military has recently intensified operations in Gaza City as part of what it describes as efforts to “destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure.” No timeline has been offered, but signs suggest the offensive could continue for months.
The ongoing violence has prompted increasingly dire warnings from international aid agencies. A recent report from the U.N.’s leading food crisis monitor found that famine had already gripped parts of Gaza City and was likely to spread without an immediate halt to hostilities and unrestricted humanitarian access.
UN Condemnation Mounts
On the same day as the U.S. veto, a team of independent experts commissioned by the U.N. Human Rights Council accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Their report urged the international community to intervene and hold perpetrators accountable. While the Israeli government dismissed the report as biased, its release further intensified scrutiny of the war and international calls for accountability.
Just a week earlier, the U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution reaffirming support for a two-state solution and calling on Israel to recognize a Palestinian state, moves increasingly embraced by Europe but firmly rejected by the U.S. and Israel.
U.S. Public Opinion Shifts
Back home, American public opinion is showing signs of shifting. According to a recent survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, roughly half of Americans now believe that Israel’s military response in Gaza has gone too far up from 40% in November 2023. However, Republican support for Israel remains strong, and overall interest in prioritizing ceasefire negotiations appears to be declining among some segments of the population.
The disconnect between growing global outrage and Washington’s unyielding support for Israel has become a defining feature of this phase of the Gaza war. As President Trump returns from his recent diplomatic visit to the U.K. and prepares for key talks at the General Assembly, the White House faces mounting pressure, both at home and abroad to shift course.
Whether that pressure will be enough to alter the U.S. approach remains to be seen. But Thursday’s veto sends a clear message: for now, the Biden administration remains firmly in Israel’s corner, even as the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to rise and international patience wears thin.
