US Expected To Block UN Security Council Vote On Gaza Ceasefire

The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to vote on Wednesday on a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire and full humanitarian access in Gaza—a measure widely expected to be blocked by a U.S. veto.

This will mark the Council’s first vote on the issue since November, when the United States—Israel’s closest ally—previously vetoed a similar resolution calling for an end to the hostilities.

According to a draft of the resolution obtained by AFP, the proposed measure “demands an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties.”

It also calls for the “immediate, dignified, and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.”

Highlighting what it describes as a “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza, the resolution further demands that all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into the territory be lifted.

The vote is set to take place at 4:00 p.m. (2000 GMT) on Wednesday. However, several diplomats told AFP they expect the United States to exercise its veto once again. They noted that representatives from the ten elected members of the council—who are introducing the resolution—had attempted, unsuccessfully, to reach a compromise with U.S. officials.

International pressure has mounted on Israel to end its military campaign in Gaza, which was launched following Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023.

The scrutiny has intensified over the severely disrupted aid distribution in Gaza. Israel had blocked the delivery of humanitarian assistance for more than two months, only allowing a limited number of UN vehicles to enter starting in mid-May.

However, the United Nations has stated that the limited access is far from sufficient to meet the dire needs of the population. Meanwhile, a U.S.-backed initiative called the Gaza Humanitarian Fund has also faced criticism for violating traditional aid norms by coordinating efforts alongside a party involved in the conflict.

On Tuesday, Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, urged the Security Council to act decisively.

“All of us will be judged by history as to how much we have done in order to stop this crime against the Palestinian people,” he said.