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Jimmy Williams
The United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution on Wednesday calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, citing the lack of a provision tying the cease-fire to the release of hostages held by Hamas since October 2023. The decision to block the resolution, which was supported by 14 of the council’s 15 members, including allies like the U.K. and France, has drawn sharp criticism and praise.
U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood expressed regret over the veto but emphasized that the omission of a hostage-release clause made the resolution untenable. “We made clear throughout negotiations we could not support an unconditional cease-fire that failed to release the hostages,” said Wood. “Hamas would have seen it as a vindication of its cynical strategy.”
The resolution called for an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent cease-fire” and the “unconditional release of all hostages.” However, critics argued it failed to ensure hostage release as a prerequisite for halting hostilities.
The veto sparked emotional reactions from Palestinian officials. Deputy U.N. Ambassador Majed Bamya condemned the lack of action to halt the 13-month war, which has claimed over 43,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s health ministry. “A cease-fire will save lives — all lives,” Bamya said, accusing Israel of attempting to annihilate the Palestinian nation.
Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon defended the U.S. decision, asserting the resolution would have prolonged violence. “This was not a path to peace; it was a roadmap to more terror,” Danon said, thanking the U.S. for standing firm.
Hamas denounced the U.S. veto, accusing Washington of complicity in Gaza’s destruction. “The United States again demonstrates its direct involvement in the aggression against our people,” the group said, referencing President-elect Donald Trump’s earlier comments pledging to end the conflict swiftly.
The Security Council has repeatedly addressed the Gaza war, including a U.S.-sponsored June resolution endorsing a cease-fire proposal from President Joe Biden. However, hostilities continue as negotiations stall.
Algeria’s U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama vowed further action. “The message to Israel after the veto is: You may continue your genocide,” Bendjama said, pledging to push for a stronger resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which could allow military enforcement.
The council’s 10 elected members, who jointly proposed the resolution, affirmed their commitment to ending the violence and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. “Our collective efforts to end the hostilities will not stop,” said Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett.
While the U.S. maintains its focus on linking cease-fire terms to hostage release, critics fear the continued delay will escalate humanitarian suffering in Gaza.
