US Faces Pressure In UN Security Council Vote On Gaza

The United Nations Security Council is set to vote Thursday on a new resolution calling for a ceasefire and greater humanitarian access to Gaza, a move backed by most members despite repeated U.S. vetoes.

The 10 non-permanent members began drafting the text in late August, following the UN’s declaration of famine in Gaza after nearly two years of Israel’s war on the territory.

An earlier draft had focused mainly on removing barriers to aid, but France, the United Kingdom, and Russia questioned the value of a purely humanitarian text from a body tasked with ensuring global peace — one that Washington could still block.

The latest draft, reviewed by AFP, calls for unrestricted humanitarian access while also demanding an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties,” alongside the immediate release of all hostages.

The United States has rejected similar approaches multiple times, most recently in June when it vetoed a resolution to shield its ally Israel.

A European diplomat told AFP that the current push reflects frustration with Washington’s stance: “Not even trying just makes it too easy for the US — they don’t have to justify their position to 14 council members and the world public. It may not ease the situation for Palestinians immediately, but it shows we are still trying.”

The last U.S. veto triggered rare anger from the other 14 council members, who voiced growing frustration over their inability to pressure Israel to end the suffering of Gaza’s civilians.

On Tuesday, for the first time, a UN-mandated international investigative commission issued an independent report accusing Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza since October 2023, with the intent to “destroy” the Palestinian people.

The dispute is expected to take center stage at next week’s annual UN summit in New York.