**US Vetoes UN Ceasefire Resolution in Gaza, Citing Concerns Over Hamas Empowerment**

In a controversial move, the United States has exercised its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to block a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution, which garnered the support of 14 out of the 15 council members, aimed to halt the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and demanded the release of all hostages.

Despite broad support, the US insisted that the ceasefire, as outlined, would have emboldened Hamas. Danny Danon, Israel’s UN ambassador, supported the veto, claiming the resolution would have led to more terror rather than peace. The United States has made it clear that any ceasefire must be linked to the release of hostages, a stance conveyed by Robert Wood, the deputy ambassador to the UN.

The conflict, which ignited after a Hamas raid on October 7, 2023, has claimed the lives of 1,206 people in Israel, most of them civilians. Gaza has suffered even more severely, with the health ministry reporting a death toll of 43,985, again mostly civilians. The UN has backed these figures, showing the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding, with nearly the entire population of 2.4 million in Gaza displaced.

Hamas vehemently criticized the US, labeling it a "partner in the aggression" and accusing it of complicity in the deaths of civilians in Gaza. The group condemned the US for its consistent use of the veto, which has prevented the Security Council from presenting a united front on this issue.

The Security Council has struggled to find consensus due to repeated vetoes from the United States, Russia, and China. Recent resolutions, including a March appeal for a Ramadan ceasefire and a June US-backed multistage ceasefire plan, have failed to yield tangible results.

Slovenia’s deputy ambassador to the UN, Ondina Blokar Drobic, expressed regret over the US veto, emphasizing the ongoing humanitarian impact and broader threat to international peace. There were echoes of past UN resolutions, particularly the 2016 resolution against Israeli settlements, where the US abstained from using its veto. Human Rights Watch criticized the US for fostering Israeli impunity amid crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.

Palestinian ambassador Majed Bamya denounced the veto, arguing there was no justification for blocking a resolution intended to halt atrocities and ensure humanitarian aid access. The resolution vetoed emphasized the need for safe and unhindered delivery of aid, especially to northern Gaza, and condemned actions aimed at starving Palestinians.