United Nations Security Council resolution blocked by U.S., calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza
Gripping Unfoldment at the U.N.:
In a tense turn of events, the Unites States today threw a monkey wrench into the U.N. Security Council's resolution for an immediate and perpetual ceasefire in Gaza. The reason? The ceasefire demand wasn't directly linked to the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.
The Council's draft resolution, passed with votes from the 14 other members, also refrained from condemning Hamas' lethal attack that began the conflict in October 2023 and overlooked Hamas' disarmament and withdrawal from Gaza as conditions for peace.
The U.S. vetoed the resolution echoing its stance from last November under the Biden administration, citing similar reasons - the absence of a direct link between the ceasefire and the hostage release. The current resolution calls for the release of hostages held by Hamas and other groups, however, it does not make this a precursor for the truce.
President Donald Trump had previously attempted to intensify his intervention to mediate peace in Gaza following 20 months of war. Yet, Hamas has been seeking amendments to a U.S. proposal that Ambassador Steve Witkoff deemed "totally unacceptable."
This standoff comes on the heels of an Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation's decision to halt food deliveries at their Gaza distribution sites following a week of shootings near the sites. Israel and the United States allege that Hamas has been using these incidents to harm aid recipients and maintain control over aid previously given by the U.N.
The U.N., however, vehemently disagrees with this new aid system. It argues that it does not combat Gaza's mounting hunger crisis, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon, and does not align with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence. The U.N. believes that its distribution system throughout Gaza was effective during the March ceasefire and was meticulously monitored.
The resolution demanded the restoration of all essential humanitarian services based on humanitarian principles, international humanitarian law, and U.N. Security Council resolutions.
The withdrawn Palestinians in Gaza are almost completely dependent on international aid as the Israeli offensive has shattered nearly all food production capabilities. Israel imposed a blockade on supplies entering Gaza on March 2, 2025, but limited aid started to trickle in again at the end of last month, following pressure from allies and dire warnings of famine.
"The world is bearing gruesome witnesses day after day, to the heart-wrenching scenes of innocent Palestinians being gunned down, injured, or slaughtered in Gaza simply while trying to subsist," U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher stated on Wednesday. He stressed the need for a flood of aid to be granted access and for the U.N. to handle its distribution.
The Security Council has casted 14 votes on Gaza-related resolutions, and approved four since the conflict's inception. This was when Hamas-led militants infiltrated southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in an estimated 1,200 fatalities, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251.
As of now, 58 hostages still remain in Hamas' custody. Analysts estimate that around a third of them are still alive, after most of the others were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.
Israel's military campaign has claimed over 54,000 lives in Gaza, predominantly women and children, according to the region's Health Ministry. It fails to specify the number of fatalities that were civilians or combatants. However, the ministry, led by medical professionals and tied to the Hamas-run government, is generally considered a reliable source by U.N. agencies and independent experts, although Israel has challenged the numbers reported.
- The media reported that the United States vetoed a resolution in the U.N. Security Council for a ceasefire in Gaza, objecting to the absence of a direct link between the ceasefire and the hostage release by Hamas.
- A foundation backed by Israel and the United States halted food deliveries at their Gaza distribution sites, citing incidents of shootings near the sites, and the U.N. media has criticized this move, asserting that it does not address Gaza's hunger crisis and allows Israel to exploit aid.
- The U.N. government and its humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, have urged for the restoration of essential humanitarian services in Gaza, given the dependence of its population on international aid and the mounting hunger crisis in the region.
- According to theHealth Ministry in Gaza, Israel's military campaign has claimed over 54,000 lives, predominantly women and children, although the number of civilians versus combatants remains unspecified. The ministry, tied to the Hamas-run government, is generally considered a reliable source by U.N. agencies and independent experts.
