US Casts Sixth Veto at United Nations Over Gaza War

Photo: AFP

The United States has once again blocked a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. This marks the sixth time Washington has used its veto power since the war between Israel and Hamas began almost two years ago.

The resolution, drafted by 10 elected members of the 15-member council, had strong support. Fourteen countries voted in favor of it. The text demanded an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza and called on Israel to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. It also asked for the “immediate and dignified release” of all hostages held by Hamas and other armed groups.

Despite the broad backing, the US cast its veto, preventing the resolution from passing.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The debate at the UN comes at a time when the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening rapidly. A global hunger monitoring body confirmed last month that famine is now officially happening in Gaza City and surrounding areas. Aid groups warn that hunger will likely spread further if food and medical supplies remain restricted.

“Famine has been confirmed in Gaza — not projected, not declared, confirmed,” Denmark’s UN Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen said before the vote. She stressed that Israel’s expanded military operations were deepening civilian suffering and urged immediate action.

Local health officials in Gaza say that more than 64,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed since the war began.

US Stance: Support for Israel

The United States has long defended Israel at the UN, and Thursday’s veto showed that Washington is not changing its approach.

“Hamas is responsible for starting and continuing this war,” US diplomat Morgan Ortagus told the council. “Israel has accepted proposed terms that would end the war, but Hamas continues to reject them. This war could end today if Hamas freed the hostages and laid down its arms.”

This statement reflects Washington’s view that Hamas, not Israel, is to blame for the ongoing violence.

Just last week, however, the US surprised many by supporting a Security Council statement condemning recent strikes on Qatar. The text did not name Israel as responsible, but the move still signaled frustration in Washington with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions.

Still, Thursday’s veto shows that the US remains firmly on Israel’s side when it comes to broader UN decisions.

Israel’s Response

Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon told reporters that while Israel was not happy with the council statement on Qatar, the strong relationship with the US outweighed such concerns.

“The level of cooperation with the US is so high that we were OK with that,” he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to address the annual UN General Assembly next week in New York. After that, he will travel to Washington for a meeting with US President Donald Trump on September 29. Netanyahu earlier confirmed that Trump had invited him to the White House.

How the War Began

The war was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel. According to Israeli figures, Hamas killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took about 251 hostages during that assault.

In response, Israel launched a massive military campaign in Gaza that has continued for nearly two years. While Israel insists its operations target Hamas, the overwhelming majority of those killed in Gaza have been civilians.

What Comes Next

The UN Security Council will hold another high-level meeting on Gaza on Tuesday while world leaders are in New York. Diplomats hope new talks may bring pressure for humanitarian relief and a ceasefire, but the latest veto shows how divided the council remains.

For families in Gaza, however, the debate at the UN is about survival. With famine confirmed, medical services collapsed, and tens of thousands dead, the human cost of the war is growing by the day.