US VETOES Arab-backed UN resolution demanding an ‘immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza’ as Biden administration pushes temporary halt in fighting to secure release of hostages

The United States has vetoed an Arab-backed U.N. resolution Tuesday demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining, as global support for an end to the four-month war grows.

It was the third U.S. veto of a Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire since the start of the conflict that has left thousands dead and comes as Israeli forces plan amn assault on Rafah the White House believes will be a ‘disaster’.

Up to 1.5 million Palestinians have been forced into the enclave in the south of the Gaza strip near the border with Egypt.

The Biden administration had already promised it would veto the resolution over concerns it would interfere with a deal to bring at least a six-week halt to hostilities so all the Israeli hostages can be released.

The White House also believes Hamas would take control of Gaza if a permanent ceasefire was signed now. 

The U.S. is now circulating a rival resolution that would support a temporary ceasefire based on the release of the hostages and the lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid for Palestinians.

The United States vetoed an Arab-backed U.N. resolution Tuesday demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, as Israeli forces up their attacks on the enclave of Rafah

United Nations resolutions are not binding. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep fighting until Hamas as been completely eliminated. 

But they are a sign that nations around the world are growing wary of Israel’s prolonged campaign and the rising number of civilian casualties.

In recent weeks the Biden administration has put pressure on Netanyahu’s government to consider an endgame, and even proposed a two-state solution.

But Bibi has rejected any calls and continued the aggression on the forces responsible for the October 7 terrorist attack that killed thousands of Israeli civilians. 

‘To vote for this resolution today could very well put those negotiations at risk,’ White House national security spokesman said on Tuesday. 

‘I think most of the people around the world would love to see those hostages home with their families. And if we just voted, went along with this resolution, the chances of doing that would be greatly reduced. 

‘We are at a very delicate (point) right now … with these discussions going on. And we’re still hopeful that we can get this over the finish line. 

‘Nothing has changed about our desire to see the threat from Hamas eliminated in terms of the Israeli people. 

‘We don’t believe that Hamas leadership should be able to get off scot free here after what happened on the seventh of October.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining, as global support for an end to the four-month war grows

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining, as global support for an end to the four-month war grows

In recent weeks the Biden administration has put pressure on Netanyahu's government to consider an endgame, and even proposed a two-state solution

In recent weeks the Biden administration has put pressure on Netanyahu’s government to consider an endgame, and even proposed a two-state solution

‘This isn’t about wanting Israel to do anything to succeed against the threat against Hamas, but it also comes with the desire to have that success for any major military. 

‘There comes an obligation, an added obligation, to make sure that you’re looking after the safety and security of innocent people that are in harm’s way and again, we’ve been very, very consistent about that.

Kirby added that the White House does not support putting the people in Rafah at a ‘deliberate or greater risk’.  

‘We continue to believe that an operation in Rafah would be a disaster.’ 



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