The United States once again vetoed an Algerian draft resolution at the UN Security Council calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
 

Thirteen members of the United Nations Security Council voted in favor of the resolution, the United States voted against it, while only the United Kingdom abstained from voting.

The draft resolution calls for "an immediate humanitarian ceasefire that all parties must respect." It also included a demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees. The document called for the full implementation of resolutions 2712 and 2720, adopted on October 7, 2023, regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Security Council Resolution 2712, focusing on the need to protect children in armed conflicts, was adopted on November 15, 2023, and Resolution 2720, with the stated objectives of increasing and monitoring the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, was adopted on December 22, 2023.

The United States representative to the Security Council said that the United States is working to reach an agreement for the release of detainees in cooperation with Qatar and Egypt, and that the currently proposed draft would undermine ongoing negotiations.

Adding that the timing is not appropriate to present this draft as it would undermine the ongoing negotiations.

Earlier, the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said that the United States does not support the Algerian draft and promised that if it were put to a vote, "it would not be accepted."

According to her, the United States is working to conclude an agreement between Israel and Hamas on the release of detainees, which requires a ceasefire in Gaza for at least six weeks. The American side sees that the draft resolution presented by Algeria does not contribute to achieving these goals.

Yesterday, Monday, the United States submitted its own alternative draft resolution. According to the text, the Security Council "affirms its support for reaching a temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible."

It is worth mentioning that the United States has repeatedly blocked Security Council resolutions that would halt the implementation of Israeli military plans in the Gaza Strip. The use of the veto today marks the third time the United States has blocked a draft resolution since the war began in October 2023.

Specifically, on December 8, 2023, they blocked an Emirati draft resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. On October 18, 2023, Washington used its veto against a Brazilian draft resolution calling, among other things, for Israel to withdraw its order requiring Gaza residents to move to the southern part of the Strip. The United States justified its decision by saying that the draft resolution did not mention Israel’s right to self-defense.