As one of the council’s five permanent members, the US holds veto power – a negative vote that automatically blocks any resolution from going forward.
Had it been adopted, the draft would have demanded “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza” to be respected by all parties.
It also urged the restoration of essential services, in accordance with humanitarian principles and prior Security Council resolutions.
Draft resolution unacceptable: United States Speaking ahead of the vote, acting US Representative Dorothy Shea described the draft resolution as “unacceptable”.
“We cannot allow the Security Council to award Hamas’ intransigence,” Ms. Shea said, stressing, “Hamas and other terrorists must have no future in Gaza.
Co-sponsored by Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia—collectively referred to as the E-10—the text garnered 14 votes in favor, while the United States cast the only vote against it.
Being one of the five permanent members of the council, the United States has the ability to veto resolutions, which means that a vote in the negative will prevent them from moving forward.
The draft would have required “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza” to be adhered to by all parties if it had been approved.
Give up all the hostages.
The language reiterated the Council’s previous demand for the “unconditional, dignified, and immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.”. “”.
After more than months of an almost complete Israeli aid blockade, the draft also voiced serious concerns about the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza, including the risk of famine as indicated by recent international food security assessments.
All parties’ commitment to abide by international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, was reiterated.
The aid flow should resume.
Together with a ceasefire, the draft resolution called for the “immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions” on the entry and distribution of aid in Gaza, ensuring that UN and humanitarian partners have safe and unimpeded access throughout the enclave.
In line with humanitarian principles and previous Security Council resolutions, it also called for the restoration of essential services.
In order to resurrect the phased ceasefire framework outlined in resolution 2735 (2024), which calls for a permanent cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, the return of all remains, the complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, and the beginning of a long-term reconstruction plan, the text expressed support for ongoing mediation efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
Unacceptable draft resolution: United States.
Acting US Representative Dorothy Shea called the resolution draft “unacceptable” in her remarks prior to the vote.
“This resolution is unacceptable for what it says, what it does not say, and the way it has been advanced,” she said, adding that the US’s opposition should not be surprising.
“The United States has been clear,” she added, “that we would not support any measure that does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza and does not condemn Hamas.”. “.”.
She went on to say that Hamas has turned down multiple ceasefire proposals, including one that was made over the weekend and would have offered a way to put an end to the fighting and free the remaining hostages.
The future of Hamas and other terrorists in Gaza must be eliminated, Ms. Shea emphasized, adding that “we cannot allow the Security Council to award Hamas’ intransigence.”. “If an ember survives, it will spark again into a fire,” as Secretary [Marco] Rubio once stated. “.”.
“The entire world is watching.”.
The resolution’s failure coincides with the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, where UN agencies have warned of the complete breakdown of health services, increasing displacement, and an increasing death toll related to the recently privatized aid distribution system led by the United States and Israel that circumvents established agencies.
“Every day, the world witnesses horrific scenes of Palestinians in Gaza being shot, injured, or killed while merely attempting to eat,” UN relief chief Tom Fletcher stated earlier Wednesday.
