In a significant development that highlights the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, Israeli forces have intensified their ground offensive, advancing deeper into Gaza City, while the United States has again vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. This dual crisis unfolds as the world watches, grappling with the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.
UN Security Council Stalemate Over Gaza Ceasefire
On December 8, 2023, the United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution that demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution, sponsored by the United Arab Emirates and supported by 13 of the 15 Security Council members, with the United Kingdom abstaining, failed to pass. This action marked a critical moment, defying urgent appeals from UN Secretary-General António Guterres and numerous member states who warned of dire consequences if hostilities continued unabated.
The US representative to the Security Council, Robert Wood, stated that the US could not support a resolution that did not condemn Hamas’s October 7th attacks and that a ceasefire at that juncture would “only plant the seeds for the next war.” He argued that Hamas had no intention of pursuing lasting peace and that the US objective was to “break the cycle of unceasing violence”. Washington also cited the need for Hamas to release hostages as a prerequisite for supporting a ceasefire, asserting that any resolution should not undermine Israel’s right to self-defense.
International Condemnation and Reactions
The US veto drew sharp criticism from a wide array of nations. Russia and China denounced the decision, with China’s envoy stating that the US objection was “no different from giving the green light to the continued slaughter”. Algeria, which sponsored the resolution, described the US opposition as an “approval of starvation as a means of war”. France, Norway, and other countries expressed deep disappointment, emphasizing the catastrophic humanitarian situation on the ground. Hamas condemned the veto as “unethical and inhumane,” accusing the US of direct participation in the conflict and the “killing our people”. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called the veto “a disgrace and another blank cheque given to the occupying state to massacre, destroy and displace”.
Escalating Ground Offensive in Gaza City
Concurrently, Israeli forces have significantly escalated their ground operations, pushing deeper into Gaza City, the territory’s most populous urban center. This intensified military campaign follows earlier phases of ground offensives and extensive aerial bombardment across the Gaza Strip. Residents still in Gaza City have been warned to evacuate and head south, as the military designates the area a “dangerous combat zone”.
Estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced from Gaza City, fleeing the destruction and relentless fighting. The offensive aims to dismantle Hamas infrastructure within the city, with Israeli officials estimating thousands of militants remain, along with extensive tunnel networks. The scale of destruction in urban areas has been extensive, leading to mass displacement and further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
A Deepening Humanitarian Crisis
The ongoing military operations, combined with restrictions on aid, have plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis. The UN Secretary-General has repeatedly expressed alarm over the “accelerating breakdown of humanitarian conditions,” citing shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The Gaza Health Ministry reports staggering casualty figures, with over 69,500 Palestinians killed and more than 170,000 injured since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. As of November 12, 2025, the total death toll has been reported to exceed 71,000, with scholars estimating that approximately 80% of those killed are civilians, including a high proportion of women and children.
The situation is compounded by widespread displacement, with much of Gaza’s population forced to move multiple times, often into overcrowded and unsanitary conditions with limited access to essential resources. Reports indicate that the entire population of Gaza faces the risk of famine, with aid delivery severely hampered by ongoing hostilities and logistical challenges.
Background and Diplomatic Landscape
The current crisis stems from the unprecedented attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of hundreds of hostages. Israel subsequently declared war with the stated objectives of dismantling Hamas, freeing hostages, and ensuring its security.
The US veto of the UN ceasefire resolution underscores a deep division within the international community regarding the path forward. Despite this diplomatic deadlock, efforts continue through various channels to de-escalate tensions, secure hostage releases, and facilitate humanitarian aid. However, the intensified military actions in Gaza City and the persistent diplomatic impasse pose significant challenges to achieving a lasting resolution and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian population. The world news continues to follow this critical situation closely as the conflict’s toll mounts.