NEW YORK: The United States again used its veto power in the Security Council to block a resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Fourteen of the 15-member council voted in favour of the resolution, but the US, a permanent member, used its veto power to block it. The resolution was jointly sponsored by the 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council: Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guinea, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia. The resolution called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to be respected by all parties.
The text of the resolution reiterated its call for the immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other Palestinian groups. It also expressed deep concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the threat of famine is increasing due to the Israeli blockade for months. Experts have already confirmed that the food crisis has entered a serious phase.
The resolution called for the immediate removal of all obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, for safe and unhindered access for the UN and its aid partners, and for the restoration of essential services. In addition, it called for the reconstruction of infrastructure by aid principles and previous Security Council resolutions.
The resolution supported the phased ceasefire plan proposed by Egypt, Qatar and the United States in light of Security Council resolution 2735 (2024), which includes a complete ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the return of the remains of the dead, the release of Israeli prisoners, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces and the reconstruction of Gaza.
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