Crisis with the U.S: Didn't impose veto on Security Council call for a humanitarian ceasefire

Crisis with the United States. In a pivotal exchange at the White House, American Foreign Minister Anthony Blinken conveyed the United States' stark opposition to a sweeping ground operation in Rafah to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant. Blinken asserted that viable alternatives exist to safeguard Palestinian lives, signaling a critical stance amid escalating tensions between Israel and the Biden administration, catalyzed by the U.S.'s abstention from vetoing a UN resolution advocating for a ceasefire.

Blinken, resolute in his stance, emphasized the grave humanitarian risks posed by a comprehensive ground offensive in Rafah, cautioning against endangering the lives of over 1.4 million Palestinian residents. Stressing the imperative for alternative strategies, Blinken underscored the paramount importance of preserving both Israeli security interests and the welfare of Palestinian civilians.

The exchange followed Defense Minister Galant's departure from a constructive meeting with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Sullivan, in a subsequent statement, expressed satisfaction with the discussions, highlighting their focus on devising effective measures to eradicate Hamas influence in Gaza.

Sullivan reaffirmed President Biden's unwavering commitment to Israel's security in the face of all threats, underscoring a multi-faceted approach aimed at addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Strip.

Ahead of the meeting, Minister Galant underscored his role as a representative of the State of Israel, advocating for bolstering the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and fortifying the nation's resilience. The dialogue between Blinken and Galant underscores the delicate diplomatic dance as the United States seeks to balance its commitment to Israeli security with concerns for Palestinian well-being. Against the backdrop of a complex regional landscape, diplomatic efforts remain paramount in charting a path toward stability and peace in the Middle East.

The UN Security Council voted today in favor of a proposed resolution that includes a "demand" for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire during the month of Ramadan, which will end in about two weeks, and for the "immediate and unconditional release" of the abductees. 14 countries supported the proposed resolution, The United States abstained and did not impose a veto.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled the Israeli  delegation's departure to Washington." The background to Netanyahu's decision came due to the Americans' notification to Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, according to which the US intends to pass two separate resolutions in the Security Council, without any connection between them, one for a ceasefire and the other for the release of hostages.
Senior political officials said that "the Security Council's call for an immediate ceasefire is very problematic - because it does not impose anything on Hamas." According to them, "Actually they are calling for a ceasefire and the release of the abductees, this means that they can put pressure on us for a ceasefire, which is exactly what the countries of the world want, and they will not put pressure on Hamas - because they have no way to put pressure on them. This invites international pressure on Israel and not on the side The second".
This is the first proposed resolution since the outbreak of the war that has been passed by the Security Council and calls for an immediate ceasefire. However, it should be noted that this is only a declarative decision. The Security Council has previously called for additional humanitarian aid to be brought into the Gaza Strip and the release of the abductees, but so far a proposal calling for a ceasefire and the release of the abductees has not been passed.
The American ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said after the vote that "we are getting closer to an agreement on an immediate ceasefire and the release of the abductees, but we are not there yet. Let's be clear - a ceasefire could have been within reach months ago - if Hamas was willing to release all the abductees. But Hamas continues to oppose peace, to put up blockades, to build tunnels under the streets of Gaza, to operate from civilian sites and infrastructure and behind civilians." She added: "I call on the whole world - to speak out and call on Hamas to accept the agreement on the table. I don't expect it from Russia and China because they cannot condemn the terrorist acts of Hamas on October 7. They are only trying to cause a split in the Security Council through cynical exploitation of the situation.
"Since there was no required condemnation of Hamas, we could not vote in favor," the ambassador added. "However, we support the critical goals that appear in this decision, and believe that it was important for the council to speak and make sure that any ceasefire should come with the release of all the abductees."
The proposal was promoted by ten selected countries in the council, those that are not permanent members of it, and it received the backing of both Russia and China - and the support of the 22 countries of the Arab bloc at the United Nations. It later turned into a permanent ceasefire. In a statement published by the Arab bloc countries before the vote, they called on the 15 members of the Security Council to "act with unity and urgency" and approve the proposal, "in order to stop the bloodshed, preserve human life and prevent further destruction and human suffering."
The proposal came up for discussion in the Council a few days after Russia and China vetoed a proposed resolution submitted by the United States, which included a much more softened wording - although still stricter compared to previous wordings submitted by Washington, against the backdrop of increasing American pressure on Israel. The same proposal that failed emphasized the importance of An immediate and lasting cease-fire, without explicitly demanding it, and while tying the cease-fire to the release of the abductees. The proposal received a majority in the council, but was shot down as mentioned due to the veto of the Russians and the Chinese - who claimed that its wording was too vague.
The American ambassador to the UN, Thomas-Greenfield, hinted at the time that the US would also veto the proposal that came up for a vote today, but in the end this did not happen. At the debate on Friday, she said that the wording of the proposal promoted by Russia and China could harm diplomatic efforts to reach a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas: "Worse, it might actively give Hamas an excuse to leave the talks for a deal that is on the table," she said.
"We should not move forward with any statement that endangers the ongoing negotiations", she emphasized - and warned that if the proposed wording does not "support diplomacy", the council could reach an impasse again: "I really hope it does not come to that". The US, we will recall, has vetoed three proposals calling for a ceasefire in the fighting in the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the war.