U.S. the only country to oppose call for ceasefire in United Nations conference
On Wednesday, Oct. 18, the United States was the only country to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution that would call for a ceasefire in the conflict between Palestine and Israel so that humanitarian aid may be provided to Gaza. According to Reuters, the United States vetoed the ceasefire under the precedent of Israel’s right to self-defense and the need for more diplomacy time.
Meanwhile the draft was vetoed, Gaza has been experiencing devastating destruction. The last report from the Gaza Ministry of Health reported more than 5,000 deaths and 15,000 injuries to Palestenians since Oct. 7, and 1.4 million people have been internally displaced. Women and children make up 62% of the count of death and injuries . It is reported hospitals are working much past their capacity, and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 62 healthcare centers thus far have fallen victim to attacks. There is currently a full electricity blackout and water production capacity is working at five percent the normal levels, per WHO. With little supplies, healthcare capacity, water, vast numbers of death and injury, and no electricity, Gaza is in immediate need of humanitarian aid and intervention.
As noted in our last news article on the conflict, we cannot ignore the lives being stolen. Loss of life, whether Israeli or Palestinian is a devastation, and we must pay attention to the factors which are causing extensive and boundless loss. Many Human Rights Organizations, such as Amnesty International, have repeatedly found Israel to be in violation of International Humanitarian Law, by carrying out indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks against Palestinians. Amnesty International’s Secretary General made the following statement: “In their stated intent to use all means to destroy Hamas, Israeli forces have shown a shocking disregard for civilian lives. They have pulverized street after street of residential buildings killing civilians on a mass scale and destroying essential infrastructure, while new restrictions mean Gaza is fast running out of water, medicine, fuel and electricity.” As an organization, they are calling for the immediate end of unlawful attacks and the allowance of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
It is clear there is an extreme power imbalance between Palestine and Israel, with Israel’s response to Hamas greatly surpassing proportionality and victimizing millions of Palestinians. The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, along with many UN Ambassadors, are urging the implementation of a ceasefire and the opportunity to provide Palestine humanitarian aid. Dr. Rick Brennan, World Health Organization Regional Emergencies Director, has stated: "We are on our knees asking for that sustained, scaled up, protected humanitarian operation.” The latest overnight strike reached 700 Palestinian deaths, the highest 24-hour death toll since the beginning of Israel’s campaign to “crush Hamas.” With death and destruction clearly scaling up in Gaza, humanitarian intervention is urgent. The United States has made clear its allyship with Israel, but considering the facts on Gaza’s condition, preserving human life and implementing humanitarian intervention should have priority over political associations.