The resolution, prepared by Algeria, demanded “a immediate humanitarian ceasefire which must be respected by all parties” and opposed the “forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population.
In the vote, The resolution gathered 13 supports, the United Kingdom abstaining and the United States vetoing.
The US vetoed the ceasefire in Gaza at the UN: the government’s justification
The ambassador of USA before the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, He had already anticipated on Sunday that his country would veto the draft resolution Because they want continue betting, instead, on the ongoing mediation with Hamas and Israel.
“We cannot support a resolution that would jeopardize delicate negotiations” to reach a trucedeclared the representative of Washington, while advocating for an alternative draft drafted by her country.
Although the US text includes the word “ceasefire” – which the country has previously avoided, vetoing two bills in October and December that used the term – it does not call for an immediate end to hostilities, according to the news agency. AFP, which had access to the document.
Echoing recent statements by US President Joe Biden, under increasing pressure ahead of the November elections in which he seeks re-election, the text proposed by Washington refers to a “temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as feasible”based on a “formula” for the release of all hostages held by Hamas.
Criticism of the US for vetoing the ceasefire in Gaza
The Palestinian envoy to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, described the US blockade as “absolutely reckless and dangerous” and warned that “The message given today to Israel with this veto is that it can continue to get its way.”
Meanwhile, the terrorist group Hamas stated that the veto of USA in the UN gives the “green light” to “more massacres.”
The decision caused a chorus of criticism to Washington, not only by China and Russia, who have rejected strong US support for Israel, but also US allies such as France, Malta and Slovenia.
Israel prepares a new offensive against Gaza in the city of Rafah
The vote took place at a time when Israel prepares for offensive on southern city of Rafahthe last in the Gaza Strip that has not been invaded by ground troops and where 1.4 million people take refuge.
Israel faces growing pressure to prevent this incursion, including from USA.
The document presented by the White House also expresses concern by Rafah, by warning that “a major ground offensive” should not occur under the “current circumstances”, as it “would result in new damage to the civilian population and new displacement”.
“This is not, as some members have claimed, a US effort to cover up an imminent ground incursion, but rather a sincere statement of our concern for the 1.5 million civilians who have sought refuge in Rafah,” Thomas-Greenfield said earlier. of the session.
“We have no plans to rush to vote on our text,” declared a senior US official yesterday, who said he had no “deadline.”
Like the previous drafts rejected by Israel and the United States, the text vetoed today did not condemn the unprecedented attack by the Islamist group against Israel on October 7, which caused the death of more than 1,200 people, most of them civilians.
In retaliation, Israel launched an offensive that has left more than 29,000 dead in Gazathe vast majority civilians, according to the Ministry of Health of the Hamas government in the Palestinian enclave.
Source: Ambito
