Americans argue that such resolutions could jeopardize diplomatic efforts.
Thirteen members of the UN Security Council voted for an immediate ceasefire, while the US exercised its veto right, and the UK abstained. Washington insists that such resolutions could undermine diplomatic efforts, as reported by Sarbaz.kz citing DW.
The draft resolution by the UN Security Council for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza sector, for humanitarian reasons, once again failed. Thirteen out of 15 Security Council members voted for the document proposed by the United Arab Emirates on Friday, December 8, but the US vetoed it. The 15th member of the top UN body, the UK, abstained.
Similar proposals have previously faltered due to US opposition, as they have consistently supported Israel, arguing that such resolutions could undermine diplomatic efforts.
Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the UN Security Council to support a humanitarian ceasefire, citing Article 99 of the UN Charter. This article allows the Secretary-General to "bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security" and, according to the UN, has not been used for several decades.
Hamas Attack on Israel The conflict in the Middle East began after a massive attack on Israel by the radical Islamist movement Hamas, recognized as a terrorist organization by the European Union and the US, on October 7, 2023. The terrorists launched a widespread rocket assault on Israel and, by infiltrating its territory, perpetrated the most significant mass killing of civilians in the history of modern Israeli statehood, resulting in 1200 casualties. Militants also took more than 240 hostages and transported them to the Gaza sector.
In response, Israel declared war on Hamas. The country's army carried out extensive strikes on this densely populated Palestinian region, under Hamas control, and conducted a ground military operation.
During the temporary ceasefire, which lasted until December 1, more than 100 hostages were released, and Israel released around 240 Palestinians from prisons. According to Israeli authorities, Hamas still holds 138 individuals captured on October 7.
