In a high-stakes move, the United States has issued a warning to veto the United Nations Security Council’s vote scheduled for February 20th, aimed at immediate ceasefire measures in Gaza.
According to global news agencies, the possibility of voting on February 20th in the UN Security Council arises from Algeria’s request, which presented a draft resolution a week ago for the said voting. Algeria had appealed for the voting to take place on Tuesday, but now the US has indicated its intention to veto the resolution on ceasefire measures.
US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, expressed concerns that the text of the ceasefire agreement for Gaza could jeopardize delicate negotiations, hence the lack of support.
It’s worth noting that at least 9 votes in favor are required to pass a resolution in the UN Security Council, and none of the permanent members (US, UK, France, China, or Russia) should veto it. Previously, the United States has vetoed condemnatory resolutions against Israel’s aggression in Gaza, often citing its commitment to maintaining a friendly relationship with Israel.
This move underscores the ongoing diplomatic tensions surrounding the Gaza crisis and the complexities involved in achieving international consensus on addressing the conflict.