The UN Security Council held its landmark 10,000th meeting against the backdrop of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where famine and ongoing Israeli military operations are affecting civilians. During the session, the Council considered a resolution demanding a ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the removal of restrictions on humanitarian aid to ensure safe distribution by UN agencies and partners. The resolution, however, was not adopted due to a negative vote by the United States.
The US, one of the five permanent Security Council members with veto power, justified its opposition by stating that the resolution failed to condemn Hamas or acknowledge Israel’s right to self-defense. Representative Morgan Ortagus criticized the text for legitimizing narratives that favor Hamas and for attempting to return to a system that allowed Hamas to strengthen itself at the expense of civilians.
The draft resolution was introduced by the Council’s ten non-permanent members, including Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia. Despite its failure to pass, Danish Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen highlighted that 14 Council members sent a “clear message” in favor of an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and the urgent lifting of aid restrictions.
The conflict in Gaza began on 7 October 2023, following attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the taking of 250 hostages, of whom 48 remain captive. Since then, the Security Council has convened multiple times, with the US vetoing four previous ceasefire resolutions, most recently in June. Over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since the hostilities began, according to Gaza health authorities.
South Korea currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council and noted the historical significance of the 10,000th meeting. Representative Sangjin Kim emphasized the contribution of 137 Member States over the Council’s history and the ongoing challenges in fulfilling its mandate to maintain international peace and security.
The Security Council is one of the UN’s six main organs, tasked with maintaining global peace and security through resolutions, decisions, sanctions, and peacekeeping missions. Its five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—retain veto power, a right established due to their central role in the founding of the UN. The Council’s ten non-permanent members, elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms, work alongside the permanent members to address international crises and conflicts.
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