US Likely to Veto UN Ceasefire Resolution for Gaza

(CTN News) – Algeria has requested that the UN Security Council vote next week on a resolution calling for a “immediate” truce in Gaza, diplomatic sources told AFP Saturday, though Washington appeared to obstruct it once again.

Algeria began discussions on a new draft after the International Court of Justice declared in late January that Israel must do everything possible to prevent genocidal acts during its war in Gaza, which it claims is targeting Hamas militants.

The most recent version of the text, seen by AFP Saturday, “demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire that must be respected by all parties.”

Furthermore, it “rejects forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population,” while at the same time “demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”

Security Council’s Limited Action Despite Growing Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The Gaza war began on October 7 with Hamas’ strike, which killed around 1,160 persons in Israel, the majority of whom were civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official estimates.

Israel replied by conducting an all-out attack on Gaza, killing at least 28,858 people, the majority of them were women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.

Algeria has requested a vote on Tuesday in the UN Security Council, but Washington has indicated that it will most certainly reject the move.

US President Joe Biden is negotiating a hostage agreement with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, to bring about six weeks of a “prolonged pause in fighting,” according to US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

“The resolution put forward in the Security Council, in contrast, would not achieve these outcomes, and indeed, may run counter to them,” she warned.

“The United States does not support action on this draft resolution,” she went on to say. “Should it come up for a vote as drafted, it will not be adopted.”

Gaza War Background: Statistics and Figures

Like earlier formulations opposed by Israel and the United States, the current text does not denounce Hamas’ unprecedented strike.

Earlier this month, Thomas-Greenfield warned that Algeria’s latest effort could disrupt the negotiations.

“We believe that it is high time now for the Security Council to decide on a humanitarian ceasefire resolution,” Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour recently stated, adding that the text’s elements have “massive support” among council members.

Despite international criticism for Gaza’s escalating humanitarian situation, Washington vetoed cease-fire proposals in October and December.

Since October 7, the Security Council has adopted only two resolutions on Gaza, one of which calls for large-scale delivery of humanitarian supplies to the Palestinian territory.