US vetoes UN Security Council draft resolution demanding ceasefire, full aid access in Gaza

HAMILTON, Canada

The US on Thursday vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution that demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip.

The draft resolution expressed "grave concern at Israel's ongoing expansion of its military operation in Gaza and the deepening of the suffering of civilians as a result."

Calling on Israeli authorities to immediately reverse their decision to further their military operation in Gaza, the draft resolution also rejected "any attempt at demographic or territorial change" in the enclave.

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

Before the vote, Denmark's UN envoy Christina Markus Lassen said: "Today we'll take action on an important resolution. It focuses on three urgent and immediate demands; demands that many member states have made time and time again, no more and no less."

"The sole intent of this resolution is to ease suffering and contribute to the end of this abhorrent war," she said, urging all council members to vote in favor.

US deputy special presidential envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, said Washington's "opposition to this resolution will come as no surprise."

Claiming that the draft resolution "fails to recognize the reality on the ground that there has been a meaningful increase in the flow of humanitarian aid," Ortagus repeatedly expressed support to Israel and disputed UN reports of starvation in Gaza.

Expressing "deep alarm by the IPC report confirming that famine is currently occurring in Gaza Governorate and is projected to expand to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis governorates by the end of September," the document further "strongly condemned any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare."

Demanding Israel "immediately and unconditionally" lift all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, it also noted the need to ensure "safe and unhindered distribution to the population in need of such assistance."

It further reiterated calls for the "immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups."

The US previously vetoed five Security Council draft resolutions that called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, marking Thursday's resolution as the sixth.

The US vetoed resolutions in October 2023, December 2023, February 2024, November 2024, and June 2025, while abstaining in votes on other draft resolutions.

Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians since October 2023 and devastated the enclave, which faces famine.

Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its war in the territory.