US again vetoes UN Security Council Gaza ceasefire call

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.

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 Hamas in the Palestinian territory.

The vote came as Israeli tanks and jets pounded Gaza City, the target of a major new ground offensive, forcing Palestinians to flee south.

The resolution text seen by AFP had demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties" as well as the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.

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."

'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 Gaza's inhabitants.

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.

Agence France-Presse