The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Source: Reuters
Details: The United States on Friday vetoed a proposed UN Security Council demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Thirteen other members voted in favor of the draft resolution proposed by the United Arab Emirates. Great Britain abstained.
The US and Israel oppose the ceasefire because they believe it will only benefit Hamas.
Washington supports a pause in hostilities to protect civilians and allow the release of hostages taken by Hamas during the deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood said the draft resolution was a hasty, unbalanced text, out of touch with reality: “We do not support the resolution’s calls for an unsustainable ceasefire that will only sow the seeds for the next war.”
The US proposed significant amendments to the draft, including a condemnation of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, which Israel said killed 1,200 people and took 240 hostage.
Background:
According to CNN, US officials expectthat the current phase of Israel’s ground operation in Gaza may last until January 2024 before it moves to a less intensive strategy that will target specific Hamas militants and leaders. Recall that Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin statedthat Israel risks “strategic defeat” in Gaza unless it does more to protect civilians. At the same time, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham rejected US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s assertion that further civilian casualties in Gaza could lead to more Hamas militants and a “strategic defeat” for Israel. Meanwhile, US Vice President Kamala Harris said that after the end of the conflict between Israel and Hamas needs to be reunited the Palestinian population of Gaza and the West Bank under unified governance.
2023-12-08 23:39:21
#vetoes #resolution #ceasefire #Gaza #Strip
