US blocks Gaza ceasefire proposal for third time

NEW YORK — Once again, the United States has vetoed a proposal in the UN Security Council calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, marking the third time it has done so amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

During a meeting of the 15-member Security Council yesterday, discussions centered on the escalating hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza since 7 October. Despite efforts to broker peace, the United States opposed a proposal presented by Algeria for a ceasefire.

According to reports, after extensive deliberations, a vote was held on the Algerian proposal, but it was ultimately vetoed by the US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

While the US has been preparing its own proposal for a temporary ceasefire, contingent upon the release of all prisoners to Israel and the entry of urgent aid into Gaza, it has consistently opposed other ceasefire initiatives. This marks the third instance of the US vetoing such proposals since the conflict began. Notably, Britain, another permanent member of the Security Council, has refrained from using its veto thus far.

Despite the support of 13 countries for the Algerian proposal, it was met with opposition from Britain and the United States. The US justified its veto, citing concerns that the proposal could impede ongoing discussions between itself, Israel, and intermediary countries such as Egypt and Qatar, which support the Palestinians.

Moreover, fears persist that Israel may initiate a ground invasion of the city of Rafah, further complicating efforts to achieve a ceasefire. The outcome of the vote has drawn criticism from China and other nations, with the Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, describing it as another lamentable episode in the Security Council’s history, attributed to the actions of the United States.