US Vetoes UN Security Council Resolution for Gaza Ceasefire – Greece Votes in Favor

The United States exercised its veto against a draft resolution by the UN Security Council calling for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution was coordinated by ten elected members of the Council to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region. The UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, led by Slovenia, was supported by Algeria, France, and Guyana. Despite the American veto, it was approved by the ten elected non-permanent members of the UN (Greece, Slovenia, Guyana, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Algeria, Somalia, South Korea, Panama, and Denmark) and four permanent members (France, Russia, China, UK). This marks the fifth time since the October 2023 war began that the US has vetoed a resolution for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The short text of the resolution included three paragraphs demanding: an immediate and unconditional permanent ceasefire, the dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the full lifting of restrictions and obstacles to the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza. Despite intensive diplomatic consultations, the US refused to support the text, citing the absence of explicit condemnation of Hamas and support for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), promoted by the US and Israel. The US Deputy Permanent Representative, Dorothea Shea, explained the opposition after the vote, emphasizing that the failure of the text to condemn Hamas was a key reason. She reiterated that the US would not support any measure that did not condemn and call for the dismantling of Hamas. The Greek Permanent Representative, Evangelos Sekeris, described an unfolding humanitarian disaster, stressing that each passing day puts more Palestinians at risk of death. Greece condemned the attacks of October 7, 2023, and called for an immediate humanitarian response, including an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages. The dramatic worsening of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with warnings of impending famine and mass civilian casualties, underscores the urgency of resolving this crisis.