US vetoes another Gaza resolution

The United States on Thursday vetoed a draft resolution on Gaza at the UN Security Council, while the other 14 members voted in favor. The draft resolution called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and demanded that Israel lift all restrictions on humanitarian aid to the enclave.

"In October 2023, when the United States first vetoed a draft resolution on Gaza, the conflict had already claimed nearly 3,000 lives. Today, as the US once again abuses its veto power, the death toll in Gaza has surged to more than 65,000," Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at the meeting.

"We hope the United States will work with the international community, uphold a fair and responsible position, and make genuine efforts toward achieving a ceasefire," said Fu.

"How many more tragedies must occur before humanitarian aid can flow unimpeded? Under an extreme blockade, Gaza is already facing famine, with disease spreading rapidly," he said.

"The militarized mechanism for aid distribution imposed by the United States and Israel has obstructed humanitarian agencies such as the United Nations from carrying out relief efforts," Fu said, saying the obstruction has resulted in the deaths of large numbers of civilians searching for food and supplies.

"The weaponization of humanitarian assistance is unacceptable, and violations of international humanitarian law are unacceptable," said Fu.

He called on Israel to fulfill its obligations as the occupying power under international humanitarian law, lift restrictions on humanitarian access, and support the United Nations in delivering aid in line with humanitarian principles.

"How much longer must the world wait before the Security Council fulfills its responsibilities? The council bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, and it has already reached an overwhelming consensus on the need for a ceasefire and humanitarian action in Gaza," said Fu.

"Yet it is the United States' obstruction of council initiatives and its persistent shielding of violations of council resolutions that have left the council ineffective on the Gaza issue."

As a permanent member, the United States must face up to its responsibilities, support the council in performing its duties effectively, and safeguard the role and authority of the United Nations, rather than the opposite," he said.

The vote took place only days ahead of the 80th UN General Assembly's annual gathering of world leaders, which will convene a general debate and a high-level meeting on the two-state solution.

Gaza is set to dominate this year's session, as several close US allies, including France and the UK, are expected to move toward recognizing an independent Palestinian state.

"China will continue to work with the international community to help end the fighting in Gaza, ease the humanitarian disaster, implement the two-state solution, and ultimately achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question," said Fu.

The US representative, a counselor rather than an ambassador-level envoy, delivered Washington's position at the meeting, saying the resolution "fails to condemn Hamas or recognize Israel's right to defend itself."