US faces pressure ahead of UN Security Council vote on Gaza ceasefire

The UN Security Council is scheduled to vote on September 18 on a resolution calling for a ceasefire and expanded humanitarian access to Gaza, a measure supported by a majority of member states seeking action despite repeated US vetoes.

According to AFP, ten non-permanent members of the council initiated discussions on the current draft resolution in late August, following an official UN announcement amid nearly two years of Israeli military operations in Palestinian territories.

An earlier version of the draft focused primarily on removing barriers to aid delivery. However, diplomatic sources told AFP that countries including France, Britain, and Russia questioned the effectiveness of a purely humanitarian resolution from a body tasked with maintaining international peace—a resolution that the US could still block.

The draft scheduled for Thursday’s vote, seen by AFP, not only calls for humanitarian access to Gaza but also “demands an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, respected by all parties,” as well as the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.

The United States has repeatedly opposed this approach, most recently in June, when it used its veto in support of its ally, Israel.

A European diplomat told AFP that the latest resolution reflects a refusal by council members to bow to the threat of a US veto. “Even the lack of attempts will simply make the task easier for the US, as it will not have to justify itself and face opposition from 14 council members and the international community,” the diplomat said.

The previous veto sparked an unusual outburst of frustration from the other 14 council members, who have increasingly voiced their inability to pressure Israel to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

By Tamilla Hasanova