UPDATE - US once again blocks UN push for immediate Gaza ceasefire, humanitarian aid access

ADDS STATEMENT FROM US SECRETARY OF STATE

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The US vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution Wednesday that called for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip.

The draft resolution expressed "grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation, including the risk of famine," and recalled all parties' obligations to abide by international humanitarian and human rights law.

Slovenia proposed the draft resolution on behalf of the Security Council's 10 elected members -- Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, Pakistan, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Slovenia -- and received 14 votes.

US Charge d’Affaires ad interim Dorothy Shea said before the vote that "US opposition to this resolution should come as no surprise."

"It is unacceptable for what it does say, it is unacceptable for what it does not say, and it is unacceptable for the manner in which it has been advanced," she added, accusing the Palestine resistance group Hamas of rejecting ceasefire deals.

"Any product that undermines our close ally Israel's security is a non-starter," Shea said.

She once more argued that "Israel has a right to defend itself" and claimed that "it is unconscionable that the UN still has not labeled and sanctioned Hamas as a terrorist organization."

The US previously vetoed four Security Council draft resolutions that called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza, marking Wednesday's resolution as the fifth veto.

The US vetoed resolutions in October 2023, December 2023, February 2024 and November 2024 while abstaining in votes on other draft resolutions.

- 'US not to support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US sent a "strong message" by vetoing a "counterproductive" UN Security Council resolution on Gaza targeting Israel.

"We will not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas, does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza, draws a false equivalence between Israel and Hamas, or disregards Israel’s right to defend itself," he said in a statement.

Rubio noted that Hamas could end "this brutal conflict immediately" by laying down its arms and releasing all remaining hostages, including the remains of four Americans.

"Many members of the Security Council still refuse to acknowledge this reality and performative efforts like this resolution undermine diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire. This resolution would have only empowered Hamas to continue stealing aid and threatening civilians," he added.

Stressing that the US will never stop working to free all the hostages, Rubio said it will continue supporting the delivery of aid to Gaza.

"The United States will continue to stand with Israel at the UN. The United Nations must return to its original purpose --promoting peace and security -- and stop these performative actions," he said.

*Diyar Guldogan from Washington, DC contributed to this report