U.S. vetoes ceasefire resolution, crafts its own

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The United Nations Security Council failed to pass a ceasefire resolution for the ongoing war in the Middle East Tuesday after a veto from the United States tanked the effort.

A resolution offered by Algeria and backed by Arab nations called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and release of hostages taken by Hamas after their October 7th terrorist attacks.

On her veto of the measure, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said it would not achieve the necessary humanitarian aid and peace objectives.

“Over the last several weeks, I communicated the United States’ concerns publicly and privately. We submitted numerous – numerous – rounds of edits. We implored our colleagues not to rush towards failure,” said Thomas-Greenfield following the vote.

The U.S. is crafting its own resolution that would call for a temporary ceasefire to get hostages out and more humanitarian aid into Gaza. Ahead of the veto, Thomas-Greenfield also highlighted ongoing negotiations separate from the UN between the U.S., Israel, Egypt, and Qatar in hopes of achieving at least six weeks of ceasefire and another round of hostages being released.

It is not clear when the U.S. resolution might come up for a vote as it is still being drafted and the White House continues to negotiate on its own in the Middle East.

“We are eager to continue working with the Council on this proposal: One that would see a temporary ceasefire as soon as practicable, based on the formula of all hostages being released. And one that would get aid into the hands of those Palestinians who so desperately need it,” said Thomas-Greenfield.

The Arab nations of the UN, backed by much of the rest of the body, have been calling for a ceasefire for months since hostilities began and the dire humanitarian crisis has worsened.

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