US Vetoes Arab-Backed UN Resolution For Immediate Cease-Fire In Gaza

The United States exercised its veto power on Tuesday, blocking an Arab-backed UN resolution that called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in the besieged Gaza Strip.

According to a report by the Associated Press, the vote in the 15-member Security Council resulted in a 13-1 outcome, with the United Kingdom choosing to abstain, reflecting broad international support for ending the over four-month-long war initiated by Hamas’ unexpected invasion of southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and 250 people being taken hostage.

It is to be noted that the Biden administration had previously announced its intention to veto the resolution, expressing concerns that it could impede ongoing efforts to broker a deal between the conflicting parties, aimed at achieving a six-week halt to hostilities and the release of all hostages.

In an unexpected move before the vote, the United States presented an alternative UN Security Council resolution. This rival resolution supports a temporary cease-fire in Gaza, contingent upon the release of all hostages, and calls for the removal of all restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The draft resolution, obtained by the Associated Press, stated that these actions “would help to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities”. 

According to AP, US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood informed reporters on Monday that the Arab-backed resolution was not an “effective mechanism” for achieving the desired outcomes of releasing hostages, increasing aid delivery, and securing a prolonged pause in the conflict. He acknowledged that the US draft offered an alternative option, to be discussed in the coming days.

A senior US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted that there is no rush to a vote and that intensive negotiations around the draft resolution are planned in the coming days. The urgency of the situation is recognised, but a specific timeline for the vote has not been set, as reported by AP. 

The Arab nations, supported by a majority of the 193 UN member countries, have persistently called for a cease-fire.

After the US veto, the Arab Group may take its resolution to the UN General Assembly, where it is likely to receive approval. However, unlike Security Council resolutions, those passed by the General Assembly are not legally binding, the AP report said. 

The Security Council is expected to shift its focus to the more comprehensive US draft resolution, which, for the first time, condemns not only Hamas’ October 7 attack but also its actions related to hostage-taking, killing, murder, and sexual violence, including rape. This draft, while not explicitly naming Israel, condemns calls for the resettlement of Gaza and rejects any attempt at demographic or territorial change that would violate international law.