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The United States exercised its veto power on Wednesday, blocking a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution that called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza. The measure was backed by 14 out of the 15 Council members, but the U.S. veto prevented its adoption. The U.S. government cited concerns that the resolution did not adequately address the release of hostages held by Hamas, an issue it regards as paramount. U.S. Representative Dorothy Shea articulated this position by stating that any acceptable measure must condemn Hamas and demand its disarmament and withdrawal from Gaza. For further details, see the UN report.
The reaction from Hamas was swift, condemning the U.S. veto as a form of partnership with Israeli aggression against Palestinians. The group accused the United States of enabling Israeli military actions in Gaza that have resulted in significant civilian casualties. This sentiment was echoed by the observer for the State of Palestine, who questioned whether this veto implies a green light for continuous Israeli military operations. More context can be found in the UN press release.
The veto follows closely on the heels of an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, which resulted in the deaths of at least 31 Palestinians. According to a statement from the International Committee of the Red Cross, they treated 179 injured individuals on the day of the strike, marking the highest single-day tally since the establishment of their field hospital in the area. Allegations also surfaced regarding Israeli forces opening fire on civilians near aid distribution points, an incident initially denied but later acknowledged by the Israel Defense Forces. The IDF’s statement, available on social media, addresses the situation.
These distressing events have cast a spotlight on the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-supported entity set up to replace the UN’s aid mechanism in Gaza. UN officials have been critical of the new distribution system, declaring it non-compliant with humanitarian principles and cautioning that obstructing aid could potentially be classified as a war crime. Domestic and international bodies like the UN and IPC have repeatedly warned about the humanitarian situation, with the latter stating that as many as 500,000 are at risk of starvation.
Further analysis of the U.S. veto and its broader implications for the volatile Gaza situation can be found in the full article provided by JURIST – News.
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