In a significant development, the United Nations Security Council voted to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the remaining weeks of Ramadan, following three previous unsuccessful attempts due to the US veto. The resolution was approved after the Biden administration abstained from the vote and dropped its veto threat, temporarily lifting its diplomatic cover for Israel.

The decision comes amid an ongoing devastating war in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over 32,000 people, with the majority being women and children, and has displaced more than 75% of the population. However, despite the US abstention on the ceasefire resolution, the Biden administration has declared that Israel did not violate international law or obstruct humanitarian aid into Gaza.

This declaration has raised eyebrows, particularly because just a week ago, the UN's global authority on food security warned of an imminent famine in northern Gaza, where 1.1 million people are facing catastrophic malnutrition and food shortages. Numerous humanitarian groups and UN officials have expressed concerns about Israel's policy of intentionally starving Gaza, but the Biden administration has largely ignored these warnings and continued to provide weapons to Israel.

Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, confirmed that Israel, along with six other countries receiving US military aid, had submitted written assurances that they were not using American-supplied weapons to violate international law. These assurances were required under a new national security memorandum issued by President Biden in response to pressure from Democratic members of Congress and progressive voters critical of his support for Israel.

Critics argue that this memorandum is merely an attempt to provide bureaucratic cover, rather than a genuine change in US policy. They point to overwhelming evidence of violations of international law, including potential war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel's actions are believed to violate parts of the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which prohibit the use of starvation of civilians as a weapon of war.

Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, delivered a damning report to the UN Human Rights Council, stating that Israel has carried out acts of genocide in Gaza and calling for an international arms embargo. The report highlights that Israel's assault on Gaza and the resulting conditions of life indicate an intent to physically destroy Palestinians as a group. The court had previously ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide and facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza, but Israel is alleged to have ignored these orders.

While the UN Security Council resolution for an immediate ceasefire is binding on member states, additional measures such as sanctions would be required to enforce compliance. However, it is unlikely that the US would allow such measures to pass, given its history of vetoing resolutions critical of Israel.

In response to the US abstention, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his displeasure by canceling a high-level Israeli delegation's visit to Washington. However, he did not recall the Israeli defense minister currently in Washington, who is seeking to expedite the delivery of US weapons to sustain the war in Gaza.

The Biden administration's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has faced scrutiny, with critics arguing that the ongoing bloodshed in Gaza is unsustainable without US complicity and support. The war in Gaza continues to escalate, with the hope for a ceasefire dwindling in the absence of concrete actions from the international community.