The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The resolution, which required at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent members, has been the subject of intense debate. The US justified its veto by stating that an immediate ceasefire would not lead to lasting peace. Instead, the US supports pauses in fighting to protect civilians and allow the release of hostages taken by Hamas.
The Biden administration has also asked Congress to approve 45,000 shells for Israeli tanks. This move has been met with criticism from some quarters, but the administration maintains that it is necessary for Israel's defense. Meanwhile, the European Union has announced €125m of humanitarian aid for Palestinians, in an effort to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The conflict has seen a high death toll, with Israeli forces killing five Palestinians during a raid in the West Bank. Footage has also emerged showing IDF parading scores of Palestinian men around in underwear. Human Rights Watch has called the killing of a journalist a war crime, and the Israeli military is currently investigating a strike that killed a journalist in southern Lebanon.
In response to the violence, Belgium and the US have called for travel restrictions on convicted Israel settlers involved in violence. Hamas commanders have also become objects of EU sanctions. Despite the international outcry, the situation remains tense, with Hamas claiming to have killed an Israeli soldier during a clash with an Israeli special forces unit.
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, other leading Arab nations, and Turkey are in Washington to press the Biden administration to drop its opposition to a ceasefire. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that Gaza is at a breaking point and at risk of total collapse, highlighting the urgency of the situation.