The United States on Wednesday exercised its veto power against a United Nations Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. The resolution also called for the unconditional release of hostages taken by Palestinian militant groups during their attack on Israel in October 2023.
Fourteen out of the council’s fifteen members, including close U.S. allies Britain and France, voted in favor of the resolution. Despite overwhelming support, the resolution failed due to the U.S. veto.
U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood expressed regret over the veto, emphasizing the extensive efforts made by the United States to find a compromise. He noted that the resolution’s lack of conditions for the release of hostages prevented its approval. Wood argued that an unconditional cease-fire would validate Hamas’s strategy of holding hostages to manipulate international responses. He described such an outcome as unacceptable, given that more than 100 hostages from over 20 countries have been held for over 410 days.
The resolution proposed an immediate, unconditional, and permanent cease-fire, alongside the unconditional release of all hostages. However, the Palestinian Deputy U.N. Ambassador Majed Bamya reacted with visible frustration, reflecting the widespread disappointment at the council’s inability to end the conflict. The ongoing war has caused over 43,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza health ministry, and has devastated much of the territory.
Bamya described the absence of a cease-fire as enabling a “full-fledged Israeli assault against the Palestinian people and the Palestinian land.” He stressed the urgency of halting the violence, stating that saving lives remains a priority. Addressing the council, he posed a critical question about the moral implications of continued conflict: “Do they have the right to kill, and the only right we have is to die?”
The ambassador further accused Israel of attempting to annihilate the Palestinian nation and destroying its people. These sentiments were echoed by Algeria’s U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama, who condemned the veto as granting impunity to Israel. He vowed that the council’s elected members would push for a stronger resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which allows for military enforcement, and declared their determination to see action taken against the ongoing violence.
In contrast, Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon praised the U.S. veto, describing it as a stand for morality and justice. Danon argued that the resolution was a pathway to further violence rather than peace, expressing gratitude for the U.S.’s unwavering support and commitment to securing the release of hostages.
Hamas, the group at the center of the conflict, condemned the U.S. decision, accusing it of complicity in the destruction of Gaza and the deaths of civilians. The group called on the United States to reconsider its stance if it genuinely seeks to promote stability in the region. Hamas’s statement also referenced President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to resolve the Gaza conflict, raising questions about future U.S. policy.
The U.N. Security Council has a history of resolutions concerning Gaza. Earlier in 2023, it adopted resolutions addressing humanitarian access and a cease-fire during Ramadan. However, vetoes from major powers like the U.S., Russia, and China have often hindered progress. In June, the council passed its first cease-fire resolution aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hamas. The resolution, introduced by the United States, was based on a phased cease-fire plan allegedly proposed by Israel. Despite initial optimism, the war continued, and subsequent resolutions have struggled to gain traction.
Palestinian representatives have criticized Israel for its reluctance to accept cease-fire agreements, accusing it of exploiting every opportunity to prolong the conflict. Guyana’s U.N. Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, speaking on behalf of the council’s ten elected members, expressed frustration over the failure to implement a cease-fire deal. The elected members supported the June resolution, hoping for swift action, but months of inaction led them to pursue a more robust demand for an unconditional and indefinite cease-fire.
Despite the U.S. veto, the elected members remain resolute in their efforts to end hostilities. In a joint statement, they emphasized that the war in Gaza must cease immediately, hostages must be released without delay, humanitarian aid must reach all areas, and civilians and infrastructure must be protected. They reaffirmed their commitment to achieving peace and alleviating the suffering of those caught in the conflict.
The U.S. veto highlights the enduring complexities of international diplomacy and the challenges of resolving deeply entrenched conflicts. While the council’s inability to pass the resolution underscores divisions among its members, the widespread support for a cease-fire reflects a growing global consensus on the urgent need to end the violence in Gaza. Whether through renewed negotiations or alternative resolutions, the international community’s efforts to address the crisis are far from over.
