The United States cast the sole veto against a UN Security Council resolution on Wednesday that sought a “humanitarian pause” in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The resolution, put forward by Brazil and negotiated over several days, had received approval from twelve of the Council’s 15 members, while Russia and the United Kingdom abstained.
The U.S. ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, justified the veto, expressing disappointment that the resolution did not acknowledge Israel’s right to self-defense. She stated, “The United States is disappointed this resolution made no mention of Israel’s rights of self-defense.”
The now-vetoed resolution firmly condemned all violence and hostilities against civilians and acts of terrorism. It specifically decried “the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas… and the taking of hostages” while urging all parties to adhere to international law.
This veto comes in the wake of the Security Council’s rejection of a Russian resolution on Monday that condemned the escalating violence in the Middle East. Notably, that resolution did not single out Hamas for its attack on Israel on October 7 and was met with opposition from permanent members, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, along with Japan.
The Israel-Hamas conflict, which began with a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, has led to significant casualties. While Hamas took 199 people hostage, Israel’s retaliatory air strikes have claimed the lives of 3,478 people, according to health officials.
The Security Council’s recent decisions underscore the complex and delicate nature of the situation in the Middle East, with multiple nations and stakeholders having varying perspectives on the ongoing conflict.
Sources By Agencies
