On September 18, 2025, the United States exercised its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to block a resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other Palestinian groups, and the lifting of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza’s 2.1 million residents. The resolution, supported by the 14 other members of the 15-member Security Council, highlighted the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including widespread famine risks, and urged unhindered access for aid. This marks the sixth U.S. veto since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023, underscoring persistent international divisions over the conflict and the U.S.’s unwavering support for Israel.
Background of the Resolution
The resolution was drafted by the Security Council’s 10 elected non-permanent members—Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia. It was backed by the Council’s other permanent members—China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom. The text emphasized the “catastrophic” situation in Gaza, citing a recent UN report warning of famine in Gaza City, with risks of spreading across the enclave if aid flows remain restricted. The resolution demanded:
- An immediate ceasefire to halt hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
- The unconditional release of approximately 101 hostages still held by Hamas and other groups, out of 251 abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
- The removal of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid to address the collapsing lifelines for Gaza’s civilians.
The resolution also called for compliance with international humanitarian law and condemned actions exacerbating civilian suffering, though it stopped short of explicitly naming any party for violations.
The U.S. Veto and Rationale
The U.S., as one of the five permanent Security Council members with veto power, blocked the resolution. U.S. Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, justified the veto by arguing that the resolution failed to adequately condemn Hamas for initiating the war through its October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and triggered Israel’s military response. Ortagus emphasized that the resolution did not explicitly tie the ceasefire to the immediate release of hostages, which she argued would embolden Hamas. “This war could end today if Hamas freed the hostages and laid down its arms,” she stated, noting that Israel had accepted previous U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposals that Hamas rejected.
The U.S. position reflects its long-standing policy of shielding Israel from international pressure, particularly in the Security Council, where it has cast 43 vetoes historically to block measures critical of Israel. Ortagus reiterated U.S. support for Israel’s right to self-defense and criticized the resolution for not addressing Hamas’s role in prolonging the conflict by rejecting ceasefire deals tied to hostage releases.
International Reactions
The veto drew sharp criticism from other Security Council members, Palestinian representatives, and international observers. Palestinian UN observer Riyad Mansour called the U.S. decision a “setback for peace,” accusing it of prioritizing geopolitical alliances over humanitarian imperatives. Pakistan’s UN ambassador expressed regret, describing the veto as a shield for Israel against accountability for its actions in Gaza. China and Russia, frequent critics of U.S. policy on Israel, condemned the veto as undermining international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon welcomed the U.S. veto, stating that it prevented the Security Council from “turning a blind eye to terrorism.” He argued that the resolution ignored Hamas’s role as a terrorist organization and affirmed Israel’s right to continue targeting its infrastructure in Gaza to ensure national security.
Pro-Palestinian activists staged protests outside the U.S. Mission to the UN in New York, confronting Ortagus and chanting slogans accusing the U.S. of complicity in Gaza’s suffering. The veto also reignited debates about reforming the Security Council’s veto system, with some countries arguing it obstructs global consensus on urgent crises.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The resolution’s focus on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis was grounded in stark realities. A UN report cited in the resolution warned of famine gripping Gaza City, with malnutrition and disease spreading due to restricted aid access. Israel’s expanded ground operations in northern Gaza have displaced tens of thousands and disrupted aid deliveries, leaving hospitals, schools, and shelters overwhelmed. UN aid officials reported that only a fraction of needed supplies reaches Gaza due to Israeli restrictions and ongoing hostilities, exacerbating civilian suffering.
Since October 7, 2023, the conflict has claimed over 41,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and displaced nearly the entire population of 2.3 million. The war began after Hamas’s attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military campaign, aimed at dismantling Hamas, has drawn international scrutiny for its impact on civilians, with a recent UN Human Rights Council expert panel concluding that Israel’s actions constitute genocide—a charge Israel vehemently denies.
Broader Diplomatic Context
The veto comes at a critical juncture, just days before the UN General Assembly’s high-level week beginning September 23, 2025, where the Israel-Palestine conflict is expected to dominate discussions. Several U.S. allies, including France, have signaled potential support for recognizing Palestinian statehood, a move that could further isolate the U.S. and Israel diplomatically. The Security Council’s paralysis on Gaza reflects deeper geopolitical divides, with the U.S. and its allies often at odds with China, Russia, and much of the Global South.
Ceasefire negotiations, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., have repeatedly stalled. Hamas has rejected deals that do not guarantee a permanent end to hostilities, while Israel insists on dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities. The fate of the remaining hostages remains a sticking point, with families of hostages pressing for urgent action.
U.S. Domestic and Global Perceptions
In the U.S., public opinion on the conflict is shifting. A September 2025 AP-NORC poll found that 50% of Americans believe Israel’s military response has “gone too far,” up from 40% in November 2023. However, ceasefire negotiations rank lower as a priority, particularly among Republicans, who remain strongly supportive of Israel. The Biden administration faces pressure from progressive Democrats to push for a ceasefire, but its foreign policy remains anchored in supporting Israel’s security.
Globally, the U.S. veto has fueled accusations of double standards, with critics pointing to Washington’s vocal support for humanitarian principles in other conflicts, such as Ukraine, while blocking action on Gaza. The veto risks further eroding U.S. credibility in the Global South, where sympathy for Palestinians is widespread.
Looking Ahead
The veto underscores the challenges of achieving a unified international response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. As fighting continues, with Israeli strikes also escalating in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah, the risk of regional escalation grows. Mediators are pushing for a deal that could secure the hostages’ release and pause hostilities, but prospects remain dim without a shift in U.S. or Israeli positions.
The UN General Assembly’s upcoming session may see renewed efforts to address the crisis, potentially through non-binding resolutions or statehood recognition votes. However, without Security Council action, such measures are unlikely to alter the situation on the ground. For now, Gaza’s civilians bear the brunt of the impasse, with humanitarian organizations warning of an impending collapse unless aid restrictions are lifted and fighting ceases.
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