China Criticizes US Veto on UN Ceasefire Resolution for Gaza Conflict
In a strong rebuke, China has condemned the United States for vetoing a United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Beijing accused the US of sending the “wrong message” and essentially providing a “green light to the continued slaughter” in the war-torn region.
The resolution, proposed by Algeria, garnered support from 13 out of the 15 members of the UN Security Council, with the United Kingdom choosing to abstain. However, the US, as one of the council’s five permanent members, exercised its veto power, causing the resolution to be discarded under the council’s rules.
The White House defended its decision, asserting that the Algerian-proposed resolution would “jeopardize” ongoing talks aimed at ending the conflict. In response, China’s UN ambassador Zhang Jun dismissed the claim, describing it as “totally untenable” and emphasized the urgency of an immediate ceasefire.
The conflict, which began when Israel launched operations in Gaza following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel, has resulted in a devastating toll. The Palestinian territory’s Hamas-run health ministry reports over 29,000 people dead, with more than a million displaced Palestinians, half of Gaza’s population, seeking refuge in the city of Rafah.
The US decision to block the resolution has faced widespread condemnation. Zhang Jun warned that the continued avoidance of an immediate ceasefire amounted to endorsing ongoing bloodshed and destabilizing the entire Middle East region, increasing the risk of a wider war.
Algeria’s top UN diplomat, Amar Bendjama, expressed disappointment, stating that “unfortunately, the Security Council failed once again” and called on members to examine their consciences in anticipation of historical judgment.
Several US allies also criticized the veto, with France’s UN envoy regretting the lack of adoption given the dire situation on the ground. Washington’s ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, defended the decision, arguing that it was not the right time for an immediate ceasefire while negotiations between Hamas and Israel were ongoing.
China criticizes US veto of Gaza ceasefire resolution.https://t.co/0qafFJjyfC
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The US has proposed an alternative resolution for a temporary ceasefire “as soon as practicable,” conditional on the release of all hostages and the removal of barriers on aid reaching Gaza. The resolution also warns against a major ground offensive in Rafah, emphasizing potential harm to civilians and their displacement, possibly into neighboring countries.
As the UN continues to grapple with finding a consensus, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains committed to the war’s goals, rejecting external pressure. A planned Israeli offensive in Rafah has raised concerns, with the UN warning of potential slaughter, while Israel insists its military targets only Hamas fighters.
The Security Council’s failure to adopt Algeria’s resolution follows recent comments from Qatar, a mediator in talks to halt the fighting, expressing dissatisfaction with the progress of negotiations. The situation in Gaza remains volatile as diplomatic efforts to bring about a ceasefire face ongoing challenges.