For the sixth time since the war began, the United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, cementing its diplomatic isolation on the world stage even as the humanitarian crisis inside the enclave deepens. The vote, which saw 14 of the 15 council members unite in favor of the measure, underscored the growing chasm between Washington and the rest of the world on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The draft resolution, put forward by the council’s ten elected members, demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the lifting of all restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid. But the U.S. representative, Morgan Ortagus, stated that the U.S. would not support a measure that “fails to condemn Hamas” or “recognize Israel’s right to defend itself.” Ortagus accused the council of engaging in “performative action” and said the resolution’s demands were “unacceptable” as they would leave Hamas in a position to carry out future attacks.
The veto drew immediate and sharp condemnation. The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, expressed “anger and frustration” at the council’s failure to act. In a raw and emotional address, Algeria’s ambassador, Amar Bendjama, apologized to the Palestinian people, saying the council “could not save your children.” He accused the U.S. of being complicit in a “genocide unfolding before open eyes,” a sentiment echoed by diplomats from Russia and China, who said Washington was “abusing” its veto power.
The diplomatic standoff unfolded against a backdrop of a worsening human catastrophe on the ground. The vote took place as Israeli tanks and jets pounded Gaza City, the target of a major new ground offensive. The UN’s humanitarian office has warned that the last lifelines for civilians are collapsing in the besieged city, which a recent food crisis report says is now experiencing widespread famine. According to health authorities in Gaza, the death toll from the conflict has surpassed 65,000.
The U.S. position remains steadfast. U.S. officials maintain that a ceasefire must be linked to the release of all hostages, arguing that a temporary halt to the fighting would only allow Hamas to regroup and rearm. The U.S. has continued to work through back channels to secure a ceasefire deal and the release of hostages, but with each successive veto, Washington finds itself increasingly isolated on a humanitarian issue that has captivated the world.
For the international community, the US’s continued use of its veto power sends a clear message that the diplomatic process is at a standstill. While the diplomatic battle rages on, the human toll on the ground grows with each passing day—a tragic testament to the high cost of the ongoing stalemate.