The US has just rejected a draft resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional and long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas forces in Gaza from the UN Security Council, along with allowing unrestricted humanitarian aid access to areas severely damaged by the conflict.
While 14 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the draft, the United States was the only country to vote against it. The decision comes as more than 2 million Gazans face a severe humanitarian crisis, threatening hunger, and dropped aid since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade.
Acting US Ambassador to the United Nations, Ms. Dorothy Shea, explained that the US cannot support any measure that does not condemn Hamas nor call on it to abandon its weapons and withdraw from Gaza. She said the draft resolution would undermine US-led mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire.
In response to this action, Hamas condemned the US, saying that Washington had shown "blind solidarity" towards Israel.
Israel, a close ally and the largest recipient of military aid from the US, has also opposed the unconditional ceasefire request, saying Hamas cannot continue to be present in Gaza. Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, criticized the countries that supported the resolution for "choosing transfer and surrender".
The situation in Gaza continues to escalate after Israel ended a two-month ceasefire in March. According to Gaza health agencies, recent Israeli airstrikes have killed 45 people, while the Israeli side confirmed that 1 soldier died.
The distribution of aid has also become a point of controversy. The US and Israel back a new system operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Group (GHF), which uses private security and logistics companies to distribute aid at locations considered safe. However, the United Nations and international relief organizations have refused to cooperate with GHF because they are concerned that the organization is neutral, Militarizes aid and forces people to evacuate.
GHF said it has distributed more than 7 million meals since it began operating, but no distribution was conducted on June 4 due to concerns about civil safety after a serious incident near an Israeli military base. The GHF has asked the Israeli military to help organize walkways for civilians and improve guidance to avoid conflict.
Despite criticizing the previous distribution method, the US proposed ceasing plan still includes the participation of the United Nations, the Red Crescent Association and the aid channels have been agreed. Israel agreed with this plan, while Hamas made the amendments that the US rejected was "unacceptable".
