US Veto Design Of UN DK Resolution During Death Toll In Gaza Reaches 29,300, Hamas: Adds To People's Suffering

Israeli military land operations in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned the United States' decision to veto a UN Security Council resolution draft on a ceasefire in Gaza, saying it was tantamount to agreeing to Israel to carry out further massacres.

"This Veto fulfills the Israeli occupation agenda, hindering international efforts to stop aggression and adding to the suffering of our people," Hamas said in a statement.

Uncle Sam's country on Tuesday again vetoed a UN Security Council resolution draft on the Israeli-Hamas war, blocking proposals for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and prompting the 15-member body to call for a temporary ceasefire related to the release of Hamas detained hostages.

Thirteen council members voted in favor of the Algerian draft law, while Britain abstained. This is America's third veto of a draft resolution since the start of the conflict on October 7. Washington also used its veto rights to block amendments to the draft resolution in December.

"Voting to support this draft resolution is a support for the living rights of Palestinians. On the other hand, the voices against this draft resolution imply support for the brutal violence and collective penalties that befell them," Algerian Ambassador to the United Nations, Amar Bendjama, told the council before the vote.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield signaled on Saturday that the US would veto the draft resolution for fear of endangering negotiations between the US, Egypt, Israel and Qatar seeking to mediate the war lag and release of hostages by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

"Demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire without an agreement requiring Hamas to release the hostages will not result in lasting peace. On the other hand, it could prolong the battle between Hamas and Israel," Thomas-Greenfield told the council ahead of the vote.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said in a statement Wednesday that the death toll from Israeli attacks on the region had risen to 29,313, while 69,333 others were injured.

"The message given today to Israel through this veto is that they can continue to escape the killings," Palestinian envoy to the United Nations Riyad Mansour told the council.

Several countries have condemned the US decision on this draft ceasefire resolution. One of them is China, which thinks the US is giving Israel the "green light" to continue killing Palestinians.

"The USVeto sent the wrong message, pushing the situation in Gaza to become more dangerous," the Xinhua Government newspaper quoted China's Ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun as saying.

It is known that the Algerian draft resolution veto by the US did not link the ceasefire to the release of hostages. They separately demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages immediately and unconditionally.