US blocks UNSC motion to condemn Israel over shooting of Gaza aid-seekers
The United States has once again backed Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, blocking a UN Security Council statement that would have blamed the Israeli forces for killing Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid in the besieged strip.
The statement, which was drafted by Algeria, was supported by 14 of the 15 council members on Thursday, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, told reporters.
Algeria called for a UNSC emergency meeting behind closed doors after Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid near al-Nabulsi roundabout in Gaza City earlier on Thursday, killing at least 112 people and injuring hundreds of others.
The US defended its blocking of the motion, citing contradictory reports and a lack of all facts.
The Israeli military claimed that civilians had attacked the aid trucks and scores of people had been trampled. The claim, however, was disputed by witness accounts.
The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas described the Israeli claims as a “trivial narrative” aimed at justifying the “horrific massacre.”
Washington has repeatedly vetoed UN resolutions that call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, with the latest time being on Tuesday.
Washington, instead, has been actively pushing for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate the release of Israeli captives held by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.
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