ISLAMABAD: The United States on Thursday again wielded its veto and thwarted a UN Security Council call for a ceasefire in Gaza, shielding its ally Israel from meaningful diplomatic pressure, according to AFP.
The 14 other members of the Council backed the resolution, initiated in August in response to the UN's official declaration of famine after nearly two years of Israel's war on Gaza.
The vote came as Israeli tanks and jets pounded Gaza City, the target of a major new ground offensive, forcing Palestinians to flee south.
Health officials report over 65,000 Palestinian deaths since the Israeli war began, with dozens killed in the past 24 hours, according to DW News.
According to the US mission’s website, Morgan Ortagus, Counselor of the US Mission to the United Nations, in her remarks stated, "U.S. opposition to this resolution will come as no surprise. It fails to condemn Hamas or recognize Israel’s right to defend itself and it wrongly legitimizes the false narratives benefiting Hamas, which have sadly found currency in this Council."
‘Permanent ceasefire’
The resolution had demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties" as well as the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, AFP reported.
The United States has repeatedly rejected that approach multiple times, most recently in June when it used its veto to back Israel.
"Let this resolution send a clear message, a message that the Security Council is not turning its back on starving civilians, on the hostages and the demand for a ceasefire," Denmark's UN ambassador Christina Lassen said ahead of the vote.
"A generation risks being lost not only to war -- but to hunger and despair. Meanwhile Israel has expanded its military operation in Gaza City, further deepening the suffering of civilians as a result.
"It is this catastrophic situation, this humanitarian and human failure that has compelled us to act today."
11 shelters damaged
Earlier, in a social media post X on Thursday, the UN reported that Israeli military operations are intensifying in Gaza City.
11 United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) premises-turned-shelters have been damaged in direct or indirect hits.
'Genocide' accusation
The previous US veto sparked an unusual show of anger from the 14 other members of the council, who are increasingly vocal in their frustration over their apparent inability to pressure Israel to stop the suffering of Gazans, AFP reported.
For the first time Tuesday, a UN-mandated international investigative commission gave its independent analysis, accusing Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza since October 2023 with the intent to "destroy" the Palestinians.
The issue will be central to next week's annual UN summit in New York.
"Resolutions against Israel will not release the hostages and will not bring security to the region," said Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, ahead of the vote. "Israel will continue to fight Hamas and protect its citizens, even if the Security Council prefers to turn a blind eye to terrorism."
