The United States vetoed an Arab-backed U.N. resolution on Tuesday, which demanded an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. This move further isolates the U.S. on Israel’s side in the conflict, generating global outrage. The U.S. had already warned that it would veto the measure and has vetoed two similar resolutions since the war began. Britain abstained from voting. U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stated that the U.S. has been working on a hostage deal that would bring about a period of calm and serve as the first step towards a long-term solution to the crisis. She argued that demanding an immediate, unconditional cease-fire without an agreement from Hamas to release the hostages will not lead to a lasting peace. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby mentioned that the veto was due to delicate negotiations aimed at halting the violence and freeing the over 100 hostages held by militants in Gaza.
A draft resolution proposed by the U.S. would call for a temporary cease-fire in Gaza, contingent on the release of all hostages. Additionally, it would urge Israel to abandon its plans of invading Rafah, a southern Gaza city housing refugees who have fled violence in other parts of the enclave.
Britain’s Prince William, while visiting the Red Cross headquarters in London, called for an end to the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible. However, even if a cease-fire is achieved, there are concerns about the public health crisis that the war has caused. Independent researchers from the U.S. and Britain have warned that thousands more Gazans could die in the next six months due to the ongoing conflict.
In addition to the Israel-Hamas war, another ongoing concern in the Middle East is the activities of the Yemen-based Houthi militants. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, revealed that the Houthis have launched numerous attacks on ships in the Middle East, using drones and missiles provided by Iran. These attacks have disrupted shipping and caused supply chain issues. A coalition of over a dozen nations, led by the U.S., is working to stop the Houthis’ activities.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, where a besieged medical complex is struggling to cope with the increasing number of critically ill or wounded patients. The WHO warned that further disruption to medical care would lead to more deaths. The agency reported that 30 patients had been transferred from the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza to other hospitals, along with limited supplies of essential medicines and food.
Finally, there have been reports that Hamas was planning to storm Israel’s Ashkelon Central Prison and release hundreds of inmates as part of its assault on Israeli border communities. Although the plan failed, it raises concerns about the potential for further attacks and the security situation in the region.
These ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises have far-reaching implications for the region and the world. Addressing the situation requires diplomatic efforts to achieve a lasting and sustainable peace. The involvement of international organizations like the United Nations and major powers such as the United States is crucial. Cooperation among nations and a focus on humanitarian aid and support are necessary to alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in these conflicts.