MSF decries US veto of resolution on Gaza ceasefire

GENEVA: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international independent medical humanitarian organizsation, has expressed profound disappointment in the failure of the UN Security Council to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. This critical resolution was obstructed by a lone veto from the United States.

In a statement, MSF conveyed its devastation, emphasizing that, “We are devastated by the UN Security Council’s failure to adopt a resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza—blocked by a solitary veto from the United States. By vetoing this resolution, the US stands alone in casting its vote against humanity.”

The organization, renowned for its global humanitarian efforts, lamented the consequences of the Security Council’s impasse, underlining the urgency of a ceasefire in the troubled region.

On Friday, the United States vetoed a proposed United Nations Security Council demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

Thirteen other members voted in favour of a brief draft resolution, put forward by the United Arab Emirates, while Britain abstained. The vote came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a rare move on Wednesday to formally warn the 15-member council of a global threat from the two-month long war.

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“What is the message we are sending Palestinians if we cannot unite behind a call to halt the relentless bombardment of Gaza?” Deputy UAE U.N. Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab asked the council. “Indeed, what is the message we are sending civilians across the world who may find themselves in similar situations?”

The United States and Israel oppose a ceasefire because they believe it would only benefit Hamas. Washington instead supports pauses in fighting to protect civilians and allow the release of hostages taken by Hamas in a deadly October 7 attack on Israel.

Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood told the council that the draft resolution was a rushed, imbalanced text “that was divorced from reality, that would not move the needle forward on the ground in any concrete way.”

“We do not support this resolution’s call for an unsustainable ceasefire that will only plant the seeds for the next war,” said Wood.

The U.S. had offered substantial amendments to the draft, including a condemnation of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks that Israel says killed 1,200 people and in which 240 people were taken hostage.