Veto Dashes US Human Rights Credibility: Oxfam

Oxfam has criticised the US for blocking a UN Security Council resolution put forward by the UAE calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

Oxfam America's CEO said the Biden administration has missed an opportunity to "live up to its lofty rhetoric supporting human rights and a rules-based international order".

In a statement, Abby Maxman said the world is "ready for the horrific carnage in Gaza to end and focus on the release of hostages and helping Palestinians rebuild their lives".

The US veto of the UN's ceasefire resolution puts "another nail in the coffin for US credibility on matters of human rights," he said.

The UN Security Council vote came after Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a rare move on Dec 6 to formally warn the 15-member council of a global threat from the two-month-long war.

Washington and Tel Aviv oppose a ceasefire, believing it would only benefit Hamas.

Oxfam’s Maxman said the US has "rightly maintained that Israel has the right to defend its people from attacks," but noted the White House "has not leveraged its special relationship with Israel to end this spiralling crisis".

The Oxfam director has called for "a future without the threat of another Oct 7 attack or crushing blockade".

Hamas fighters crossed into Israeli territory, killed 1,200 people and took 240 hostages on Oct 7. Some of the hostages have been released in phases in recent weeks. 

Israel is responding to the Hamas attack with an unprecedented assault that has claimed nearly 17,500 lives so far and left 46,000 injured. The protracted conflict is preventing Palestinians from accessing basic healthcare services and food in the besieged Gaza strip.

Last month, the World Health Organization warned that disease could kill more Palestinians than Israeli bombs if the health and sanitation systems are not repaired.