US, Allies Defeat UN Security Council Resolution for Gaza Ceasefire

The US, Britain, France, and Japan voted against the measure

On Monday night, the US and its allies voted down a UN Security Council resolution that would have called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza as civilians in the enclave are under a brutal siege.

The resolution was proposed by Russia and was also supported by China, Gabon, Mozambique, and the UAE. But the US, Britain, France, and Japan voted against the resolution. Six countries abstained: Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Malta, and Switzerland.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield slammed the resolution because it did not condemn Hamas. “By failing to condemn Hamas, Russia is giving cover to a terrorist group that brutalizes innocent civilians. It is outrageous, hypocritical, and indefensible,” she said.

Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s representative to the UN, slammed the US and its allies, saying they “basically stomped” on hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza by voting down the resolution. “We are extremely concerned by the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the very high risk of the conflict spreading,” he said.

The Biden administration has refused to call for a ceasefire in Gaza as it’s strongly backing Israel. The State Department even gave instructions to its diplomats not to mention the idea of “de-escalation” when discussing the onslaught.

Gaza has been cut off from electricity, water, fuel, and food as relentless airstrikes are pounding the enclave, leaving thousands dead. Israel has not allowed any humanitarian aid to enter Gaza from Egypt despite US claims that it’s working to facilitate the deliveries.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.