Security Council Resolution Calling for a
HumanitarianCeasefire in Gaza War Vetoed by U.S.

The United States vetoed this draft resolution. The vote was 12-1-2.

The Security Council,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Recalling resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 446 (1979), 452 (1979), 465 (1980), 476 (1980), 478 (1980), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003), and 1850 (2008) and 2334 (2016),

Reaffirming that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations, whenever and by whomsoever committed,

Expressing grave concern at the escalation of violence and the deterioration of the situation in the region, in particular the resulting heavy civilian casualties, and emphasizing that civilians in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, must be protected, in accordance with international humanitarian law,

Expressing deep concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza and for its grave effect for the civilian population, largely comprised of children, and underlining the need for full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access,

Encouraging efforts aiming at a cessation of hostilities that would help to ensure the protection of civilians both in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem,

Reiterating its vision of a region where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders,

Recalling that a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means, based on its relevant resolutions,

1. Firmly condemns all violence and hostilities against civilians and all acts of terrorism;
2. Unequivocally rejects and condemns the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas that took place in Israel starting 7 October 2023 and the taking of hostages;
3. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, demanding for their safety, well-being, and humane treatment in compliance with international law;
4. Urges all parties to fully comply with their obligations under international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including those related to the conduct of hostilities, including in relation to the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as humanitarian workers and assets and to allow for and facilitate humanitarian access for essential supplies and services to those in need;
5. Strongly urges the continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of essential goods and services to civilians, including electricity, water, fuel, food, and medical supplies, stressing the imperative, under international humanitarian law, to ensure civilians are not deprived of objects indispensable to their survival;
6. Calls for the rescission of the order for civilians and UN staff to evacuate all areas in Gaza north of the Wadi Gaza and relocate in southern Gaza;
7. Calls for humanitarian pauses to allow full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access for United Nations humanitarian agencies and their implementing partners, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other impartial humanitarian organizations, and encourages the establishment of humanitarian corridors and other initiatives for the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians;
8. Stresses the importance of a humanitarian notification mechanism to protect UN facilities and all humanitarian sites, and to ensure the movement of aid convoys;
9. Calls for the respect and protection, consistent with international humanitarian law, of all medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities;
10. Emphasizes the importance of preventing spillover in the region and, in this regard, calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and on all those with influence on them to work toward this objective;
11. Decides to remain seized of the matter.