US again vetoes UN resolution

The United States exercised its veto power for the fourth time on Tuesday on the United Nations Security Council resolution that called for a cease-fire in Gaza in an attempt to halt fighting between Israel and Palestine.

The UN Council voted on the resolution proposed by Algeria on behalf of the Arab states. The draft resolution called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, the immediate release of all hostages, guaranteed access to humanitarian supplies, and the rejection of forced displacement. Unfortunately, the resolution did not pass due to a veto by the US.

China voted in favor of the draft resolution with 13 countries, while the United Kingdom abstained from voting. China expressed strong disappointment and dissatisfaction with the US veto.

"While the Council cease-fire resolution has been vetoed, innocent civilians in Gaza are dying in the fighting and struggling on the brink of death," Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun said, adding the cease-fire is urgently required by the situation on the ground and it is also based on the minimum requirements of humanity. It deserves the support of all Council members, he said.

"The US claimed that the Council resolution would interfere with the ongoing diplomatic efforts. Such a claim is totally untenable. Given the situation on the ground, the continued passive avoidance of an immediate cease-fire is nothing different from giving a green light to the continued slaughter," Zhang said.

The US has exercised its veto power on the Gaza cease-fire issue for the fourth time, following its rejection of resolutions proposed by Brazil in October 2023, the United Arab Emirates in December, and a proposed amendment by Russia.

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the conflict has resulted in a devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

"The United States' veto pushes the situation in Gaza into a more dangerous one. Various parties, including China, expressed strong disappointment by and dissatisfaction with the veto," she told a daily briefing on Wednesday.

"We will continue to work with the rest of the international community to push the Council to take further actions that are responsible and meaningful for an early end of the fighting in Gaza, de-escalation of the humanitarian situation, implementation of the two-state solution and lasting peace and security in the Middle East."

Drawing criticism

The veto also drew criticism from countries including Russia, Saudi Arabia and Slovenia.

Hamas said the US veto equaled "a green light for the occupation to commit more massacres".

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday accused Israel of committing a "genocide" of the Palestinians in Gaza — echoing harsh criticism made by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

As world powers voted, the UN's highest court continues to hear arguments on Wednesday in proceedings examining the legality of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories. More than 50 states will present arguments until Feb 26.

Israel, which is not taking part, said in written comments that the court's involvement could be harmful to achieving a negotiated settlement.

It came as Israeli strikes pounded Gaza on Wednesday as fighting on the ground raged on, leaving 103 people dead, according to the Hamasrun health ministry in the territory.

Witnesses reported heavy fire in areas around Gaza, including the south of the territory's main city Khan Younis and Rafah near the Egyptian border, where around 1.4 million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter. Rafah is also the main entry point for desperately needed relief supplies via Egypt.

Qatar, which has played a key role in mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel, said on Tuesday that medicines sent into Gaza under a deal co-negotiated by France had reached the hostages held by the militants in exchange for a shipment of humanitarian aid.

But overall, negotiation efforts have failed to secure a long-term truce and despite international pressure, Israel has insisted that a ground operation in Rafah is essential to destroy Hamas.

The conflict started when Hamas launched its surprise attack on Oct 7 that resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people in Israel, according to Israeli figures.

Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 29,195 people, according to the territory's health ministry.

Leaders of global humanitarian groups said a ground offensive could turn Rafah into a "graveyard", warning of the "truly unimaginable" consequences of a full-scale assault.

Agencies contributed to this story.