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US vetoes UNSC resolution calling for immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza
Vartha Bharati | 09-12-2023 | 11:06:00 IST
United Nations (PTI): The US has vetoed a draft resolution on the Israel-Hamas war in the UN Security Council that would have demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages taken by the Hamas.
The 15-nation Council met on Friday to vote on the resolution tabled by the United Arab Emirates and backed by over 90 member states. The resolution got the backing of 13 Council members who voted in its favour while the United Kingdom abstained.
The voting on the resolution came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a rare move, had invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter to appeal to the Security Council for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and to avert a "humanitarian catastrophe," which he said has potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians and peace and security in the region.
Ahead of the vote, Guterres urged the Council to "spare no effort" to push for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, for the protection of civilians, and for the urgent delivery of lifesaving aid.
In the Explanation of Vote, US Ambassador Robert Wood, Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs, said it is incomprehensible why the resolution's authors have "declined to include language condemning Hamas' horrific attack" on Israel on October 7.
He said that despite a "rushed process" and "lack of appropriate consultation" by the resolution's authors, the United States engaged in "good faith" on the draft resolution.
"We proposed language with an eye toward a constructive resolution that would have reinforced the life-saving diplomacy we have undertaken since October 7; increased opportunities for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza; encouraged the release of hostages and the resumption of humanitarian pauses; and laid a foundation for a durable peace," he said.
Wood said "unfortunately, nearly all of our recommendations were ignored. And the result of this rushed process was an imbalanced resolution that was divorced from reality, that would not move the needle forward, on the ground, in any concrete way. And so, we regretfully could not support it."
UAE's Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative Mohamed Abushahab expressed deep disappointment with the outcome of the vote.
"Regrettably, and in the face of untold misery, this Council is unable to demand a humanitarian ceasefire," Abushahab said.
"Let me be clear. Against the backdrop of the Secretary-General's grave warnings, the appeals by humanitarian actors, and the world's public opinion this Council grows isolated. It appears untethered from its own founding document," the UAE envoy said.
He questioned what message the Council is sending "Palestinians if we cannot unite behind a call to halt the relentless bombardment of Gaza? Indeed, what is the message we are sending civilians across the world who may find themselves in similar situations?"
UK's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward said her country cannot vote in favour of a resolution which does not condemn the "atrocities" Hamas committed against innocent Israeli civilians on October 7.
Calling for a ceasefire ignores the fact that Hamas has committed acts of terror and is still holding civilians hostage, she said.
"Israel needs to be able to address the threat posed by Hamas and it needs to do so in a manner that abides by international humanitarian law so that such an attack can never be carried out again," she said.
And so that we can work meaningfully towards a two-state solution, which delivers statehood for the Palestinians, security for Israel, and peace for people on both sides," she said
"That's why we abstained on this resolution," she added.
Guterres said that he had written to the Council invoking Article 99 "because we are at a breaking point. There is a high risk of the total collapse of the humanitarian support system in Gaza, which would have devastating consequences."
"We anticipate that it would result in a complete breakdown of public order and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt," he said.
The UN chief voiced concern that the consequences could be devastating for the security of the entire region.
"We have already seen the spillover in the Occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. There is clearly, in my view, a serious risk of aggravating existing threats to the maintenance of international peace and security," Guterres said.
In his letter invoking Article 99, Guterres noted that more than 1,200 people were brutally killed, including 33 children, and thousands were injured in the attack by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on October 7, which he has "repeatedly condemned".
Guterres voiced concern that civilians throughout Gaza face grave danger. Since the start of Israel's military operation, more than 15,000 people have reportedly been killed, over 40 per cent of whom were children, he said.
UN director at Human Rights Watch Louis Charbonneau said that once again the US used its veto to prevent the Security Council from making some of the calls the US itself has been demanding of Israel and Palestinian armed groups, including compliance with international humanitarian law, protection of civilians, and releasing all civilians held hostage.
"By continuing to provide Israel with weapons and diplomatic cover as it commits atrocities, including collectively punishing the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, the US risks complicity in war crimes," Charbonneau said.
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Shirtless protest at AI Summit: Police adds charges of rioting against arrested IYC members
24-02-2026 ¦
24-02-2026 IST
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Police has added charges of rioting against the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) members arrested in connection with the shirtless protest during the AI Summit here last week, an official said on Tuesday.
Eight IYC members, including its president Uday Bhanu Chib, have been arrested so far. Police have added sections 191(1) (rioting) and 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot- if rioting be committed; if not committed) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in the case.
Addressing a press conference, Special Commissioner of Police (Crime and Police Management & Media Cell) Devesh Chandra Srivastva described the accused as 'aggressive elements' and said that a premeditated attempt was made to breach the security cordon in the presence of dignitaries, delegates and visitors attending the international event.
"On February 20, 2026, while the India AI Impact Summit was underway at Bharat Mandapam, a premeditated attempt was made to breach the security cordon in the presence of dignitaries, delegates and visitors attending the international event. The aggressive elements were immediately overpowered. During the process of restraining them, some police personnel deployed on duty sustained injuries," he said.
He added that during the course of investigation, many individuals were seen in CCTV footage from the event venue and surrounding areas.
"The involvement of several other persons has also been detected, who were allegedly assisting the aggressive elements in various ways in carrying out the act," the Special CP said.
He said to unearth the entire conspiracy, continuous coordination is being maintained with police authorities of other states and raids are being carried out.
"During investigation, Sections 191(1) and 192 of the BNS have also been added. Based on the investigation so far, it has emerged that the offence was committed as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy, and substantial evidence in this regard has been obtained," he said.
Considering the multi-state ramifications of the case, the underlying financial and logistical networks among the accused, and the need for a comprehensive probe, further investigation has been transferred to the Inter-State Cell of the Crime Branch, Srivastva added.
According to police, additional sections under the BNS, including 196 (promoting enmity between different groups and acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 197 (assertions prejudicial to national integration), have been invoked in the FIR. Both carry a jail term of up to three years.
Charges of criminal conspiracy, obstruction of a public servant in discharge of duty, disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant, unlawful assembly and common intention had already been added to the case.
On Friday, the group of IYC workers staged a dramatic protest inside Hall No. 5 of the summit venue by removing their shirts to reveal T-shirts printed with slogans against the government and the India-US interim trade deal, before being whisked away by security personnel.
Police said the accused had registered online and obtained QR codes to gain entry into the venue.
The incident triggered a political slugfest, with the BJP calling it a "shameful act to tarnish India's image on the global stage", and the IYC defending it as a "peaceful" demonstration aimed at safeguarding national interests.