The U.S. vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Wednesday that called for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.”
The resolution was cosponsored by the U.N.’s E10, a group of ten non-permanent members of the Security Council. Fourteen countries voted to support it, with the U.S. being the only country to vote against it.
As one of the five permanent U.N. Security Council members, the U.S. possesses veto power, which prevents any resolution from being approved.
Before the vote, Dorothy Shea, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., called the resolution “unacceptable” and said her opposition to it should be unsurprising.
“U.S. opposition to this resolution should come as no surprise,” Shea said. “It is unacceptable for what it does say, it is unacceptable for what it does not say, and it is unacceptable for the manner in which it has been advanced.”
There were conflicting reports on whether the resolution included the release of hostages held by Hamas. The U.N. webpage and social media indicated that hostages being released were part of the resolution. However, multiple media reports suggested this was not the case.
In addition to the ceasefire, the resolution contained several other statements and demands. It demanded that all restrictions on humanitarian aid sent to Gaza be lifted and “essential services be restored.” It expressed support for the continuance of mediation efforts initiated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar and expressed “grave concern” over the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza.
However, Shea thought the U.N. needed to go further in its resolution. She was critical of the U.N. for not including any condemnation of Hamas in its resolution or requiring them to disarm and leave Gaza.
“The United States has been clear, we would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza,” she said.
Shea also blasted Hamas for rejecting multiple ceasefire attempts, which have prolonged the war, including “one over the weekend” that could have ended the war and secured the release of all remaining hostages.
“We cannot allow the Security Council to award Hamas’ intransigence,” Shea said. “Hamas and other terrorists must have no future in Gaza. As Secretary [Marco] Rubio has said: ‘If an ember survives, it will spark again into a fire.’”
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whom Shea referenced, released his own statement against the U.N. resolution.
“Hamas could end this brutal conflict immediately by laying down its arms and releasing all remaining hostages,” Rubio said.