US Blocks UN Gaza Ceasefire Plea, Crisis Deepens

The United States has once again stopped a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, leaving millions in the war-torn region facing a deepening humanitarian disaster.

This marks the sixth time the U.S. has used its veto power to block Gaza-related measures, highlighting its strong support for Israel as the conflict’s death toll climbs past 64,000.

The resolution, put forward by 10 elected Council members, had widespread support with 14 votes in favor but was halted by the U.S. veto. It called for an end to the fighting and the removal of all barriers to delivering aid to Gaza, where famine has now been officially confirmed.

The proposal also urged the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, aiming to tackle both the violence and the dire needs of civilians.

• US vetoes UN Gaza ceasefire resolution as humanitarian crisis worsens
• Washington blocks UN call for Gaza ceasefire, famine confirmed
• US support for Israel deepens Gaza crisis amid rising death toll

Denmark’s UN Ambassador, Christina Markus Lassen, spoke passionately before the vote, describing the desperate situation in Gaza. “Famine is no longer just a risk—it’s real,” she said, calling Israel’s expanded military actions in Gaza City a “failure for humanity.” She stressed that the resolution was a necessary step to ease the suffering of Palestinians facing starvation and displacement due to the ongoing blockade.

In response, U.S. diplomat Morgan Ortagus placed full blame on Hamas for starting and continuing the conflict. “Israel has agreed to terms to end this war, but Hamas refuses,” she told the Council, insisting that peace could come quickly if Hamas freed the roughly 100 remaining hostages and stopped fighting. The U.S. has consistently defended Israel at the UN, a stance that has drawn growing criticism.

The conflict began with Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw 251 hostages taken, according to Israel. Israel’s response has devastated Gaza, with local authorities reporting over 64,000 deaths, mostly civilians. Recent strikes near aid routes have made it even harder to get help to those in need, sparking global outrage.

Israel’s UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, acknowledged tensions over a recent Council statement condemning attacks on Qatar without mentioning Israel but emphasized the strong U.S.-Israel alliance. “We’re fine with that,” he said.

The veto has far-reaching consequences. Aid groups warn that without open access, Gaza’s famine could kill thousands more in the coming months. European allies like Denmark are growing frustrated with the U.S. position, while Arab nations call it complicity in punishing Gaza’s people. With no agreement in sight, civilians remain trapped in a cycle of suffering.

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As winter nears, Gaza’s 2.3 million residents face more hardship with little hope for relief. The U.S. veto, driven by domestic politics and its alliance with Israel, dims the prospects for peace, leaving many to wonder how long the crisis will endure.