Crisis in Gaza a test of conscience

Once again the United States has abused its veto right in a United Nations Security Council vote on Gaza, shooting down a resolution demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the resumption of full-scale humanitarian aid delivery to the enclave.

The US is the only member among the 15 members of the council that voted against the resolution, once again highlighting Washington's isolation on the world stage over its unconditional support for Israel.

When explaining the "no" vote, Dorothy Camille Shea, the interim US representative at the UN, said: "Any product that undermines our close ally Israel's security is a nonstarter."

But when Shea said that Israel had the right to defend itself, she chose to ignore the fact that Israel has no right to kill innocent Palestinians in Gaza nor does it have the right to block humanitarian aid from entering the enclave when the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated to the level where children are starving.

The US is standing in the way of the will of the international community as far as the situation in Gaza is concerned.

The resolution demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza" to be respected by all parties and called for the "immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups".

The resolution also expressed grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza following months of almost total Israeli aid blockade. And it reaffirmed the obligation of all parties to comply with international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law.

As Fu Cong, China's permanent representative at the United Nations, said, the draft resolution reflected the most pressing demands of the people in Gaza and the overwhelming voice of the international community. The US vetoing the resolution extinguished the glimmer of hope for the people in Gaza, and ruthlessly continued to leave more than 2 million people in darkness.

Since Israel launched its military action following Hamas' surprise attack on Oct 7, 2023, more than 54,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, have been killed.

"Israel has the right to defend itself" has become a catch-all justification for the killing of Palestinians.

On Sunday, Israeli soldiers shot and killed more than 20 Palestinians standing in line to receive aid. And on Tuesday, at least 27 people were killed as Palestinians walked toward a new food distribution site in southern Gaza, according to reports.

Yet Israel continues to escalate the inhuman blockade of Gaza, turning it into a living hell.

Israel launched its military action in Gaza on the grounds that it does not want the Israeli people to fall victims to the attacks of Hamas militants. But what Israel is doing in Gaza, with the backing of the US, will never provide the Israeli people with the permanent security they are longing for.

It is obvious that Washington has no moral principle and no respect for international law. The US' support for what Israel is doing in Gaza is inhumane and indefensible.

While the US prioritizes its geopolitical interests, humanitarian crises deepen. The US veto has left the people in Gaza trapped in a worsening nightmare with seemingly no end in sight. The veto is a disturbing reminder of the US' total disregard for human suffering in favor of its geopolitical agenda.

Once again, China strongly urges the US to face up to its responsibilities as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, put down its political calculations, adopt a fair and responsible attitude, and support the council to take all necessary actions to secure a ceasefire and send humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.