All other 14 Countries Voted in Favour of Ceasefire
In a dramatic showdown at the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, the United States vetoed a resolution demanding an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza — the only nation to do so, while the other 14 members voted in favor.
The resolution also called for unrestricted humanitarian aid into the devastated enclave, where over 2 million Palestinians face famine and devastation after months of war.
U.S. Draws the Line: No Ceasefire Without Condemning Hamas
Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea defended the veto, insisting the resolution failed to condemn Hamas or demand its disarmament and withdrawal from Gaza. “We won’t support measures that undermine U.S.-led diplomatic efforts,” she said, reinforcing Washington’s unwavering support for Israel — its top military ally.
Gaza Burns, World Watches
The vote came as Israel intensified its offensive following the collapse of a two-month truce in March. On Wednesday alone, Israeli strikes killed 45 people, according to Gaza health authorities. Meanwhile, Britain’s U.N. envoy slammed Israel’s restrictions on aid and military escalation as “unjustifiable, disproportionate and counterproductive.”
Israel Digs In, Hamas Slams U.S. Bias
Rejecting calls for a permanent ceasefire, Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon lashed out at supporters of the resolution: “You chose appeasement. You chose more terror.” Hamas, in turn, condemned the U.S. veto as proof of “blind bias” in favor of Israel.
Aid Delivery Standoff: U.N. vs U.S.-Backed GHF
As humanitarian aid trickles into Gaza, a parallel aid network — the U.S.- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) — has stirred controversy. While Israel accuses Hamas of hijacking aid (which Hamas denies), the GHF uses private U.S. contractors and “secure” sites, but has faced resistance from U.N. agencies, who say the system lacks neutrality and endangers civilians.
No aid was delivered Wednesday after a deadly incident near a GHF distribution site. The foundation demanded Israeli forces improve civilian safety and crowd control before resuming operations. Delays continued Thursday due to what GHF called “maintenance work.”
Humanitarian Voices Rise: ‘Enough Is Enough’
Despite U.S. backing of the GHF, its own ceasefire plan still proposes U.N.-led aid delivery. U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher urged full access to all crossings: “Let in lifesaving aid at scale… Stop using food as a weapon.” Slovenia’s U.N. ambassador echoed the plea: “Enough is enough is enough.”
Next Stop: U.N. General Assembly
With the Security Council blocked, diplomats expect a similar resolution to pass in the General Assembly, where no vetoes apply. But Israel’s envoy warned: “No resolution, no vote, no moral failure will stand in our way.”