The United States on Wednesday vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, citing the resolution’s failure to tie a truce to the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Fourteen of the council’s 15 members supported the resolution, which described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as "catastrophic" and urged Israel to lift restrictions on aid for the 2.1 million Palestinians in the enclave.
The proposed resolution did not meet several U.S. conditions, including explicit condemnation of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, and calls for the group to disarm and exit Gaza.
Speaking ahead of the vote, Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea said the resolution would jeopardize Israel’s security and ongoing diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire “grounded in the realities on the ground.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed that sentiment, arguing the resolution would have emboldened Hamas. “Hamas could end this brutal conflict today by surrendering its weapons and releasing all hostages,” he said.
Israel’s U.N. envoy Danny Danon expressed gratitude for the U.S. veto, stating the resolution would have shifted pressure onto Israel without demanding hostage releases, giving Hamas “time, leverage and political cover.”
Widespread Criticism of U.S. Veto
The veto—Washington’s fifth since the war began—drew strong condemnation from other Security Council members. Critics accused the U.S. of shielding Israel from accountability.
China’s U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong said Israel had violated international humanitarian law, and those violations continued due to protection from “one country.”
Britain, typically a U.S. ally, also distanced itself. Ambassador Barbara Woodward criticized Israel’s expanding operations in Gaza and aid restrictions, calling them “unjustifiable, disproportionate and counterproductive.”
Pakistan’s Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad described the veto as a “green light” for further devastation. “The world was expecting action, but one member again blocked this council from fulfilling its duty,” he said.
Slovenia’s Ambassador Samuel Žbogar, representing the council’s elected members, said the resolution was focused on humanitarian needs, not political friction. “Inflicting widespread suffering on civilians cannot be justified by any war aim,” he added.
Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour called for international action, warning of what he described as an Israeli plan “to destroy our people.” He said Palestinians will now take a similar resolution to the U.N. General Assembly, where no country has veto power—though resolutions there are non-binding.
The Biden administration previously vetoed a similar ceasefire resolution in November for the same reason: the absence of a direct link to hostage releases. The current proposal also demanded hostages be freed but did not make that a precondition for a ceasefire.
Aid Distribution and Ongoing Crisis
The vote came amid further delays in food deliveries to Gaza. A U.S.- and Israeli-backed group suspended aid shipments after reports of deadly shootings this week. Israel and the U.S. argued that the new system was necessary to prevent aid from being seized by Hamas.
However, the U.N. criticized the change, insisting its original aid system had worked well during a previous ceasefire and was properly monitored.
Gaza remains heavily dependent on outside assistance, as most of its food infrastructure has been destroyed. A blockade imposed on March 2 halted aid deliveries, though limited relief began trickling in again late last month under international pressure.
The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping 251. Some 58 hostages remain in captivity; about a third are believed to be alive.
Israel’s military response has resulted in the deaths of over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry, overseen by the Hamas-run government, does not distinguish between civilians and fighters in its figures, but the data is generally considered credible by U.N. agencies and independent observers, despite Israeli skepticism.