US vetoes UN call for ceasefire for sixth time
For the sixth time, the United States will immediately demand a permanent ceasefire in Gaza at the United Nations Security Council and vetoed the release of hostages.
The US Deputy Middle East Morgan Ortagus said that the text did not go further enough to condemn Hamas or to recognize Israel’s right to defense itself.
The other 14 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the draft decision, which describes the humanitarian situation in Gaza as a “disaster” and called for Israel to remove all aid restrictions.
As the UN’s Humanitarian Office expands the Israeli military attack, the latest life lines for civilians have collapsed in Gaza.
On the global scene, Israel and its nearest ally appear to be isolated.
Speaking before the vote, Ortagus said that Washington’s opposition was “not a surprise.”
“He does not condemn Hamas or does not recognize Israel’s right to defend himself, and unfortunately, he misleads the false narratives that benefit Hamas, who find the currency in this council.” He said.
After the vote, UN members quickly reacted to express their disappointment.
The UN Riyadh Mansour, the Palestinian Ambassador, described the US decision “deeply and painful” by saying that the Security Council “prevented” playing his right role in the face of these atrocities “.
Asim Ahmad, the ambassador of Pakistan, described the veto as “a dark moment in this room”.
“The world is watching. Children’s screams should pierce our hearts,” he said.
Amar Ambassador Amar Bendjama apologized to the Palestinian people.
“Palestinian brothers, Palestinian sisters forgive us,” he said.
“Forgive us, because the world talks about the rights, but deny them to the Palestinians. Forgive us because our efforts, our sincere efforts have been shattered against this wall of rejection.”
This last UN vote came only a few days before the gathering of the world leaders for the UN General Assembly, where Gaza will be an important issue, and is expected to recognize key American allies, including England. Independent Palestinian State.
In Gaza, while Israeli tanks and troops continue to progress on the third day of a land attack, thousands of people continue to escape from the region among the ongoing deadly attacks.
The UN’s Humanitarian Office Spokesman Olga Cherekko told BBC that the situation in Gaza was “nothing but a disaster”.
The Israeli army launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the attack on Hamas on 7 October 2023 against Southern Israel, and about 1,200 people were killed and 251 people were hostage.
According to the region’s Ministry of Health, at least 65,141 people have died in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then.
The Ministry said that 435 people have died so far during the war due to malnutrition and hunger, including four of them in the last 24 hours.
