Hamas says it considers US complicit in Israel’s genocidal war
– Abdul Bari Masoud
New York/New Delhi, Dec. 9: Following the US veto of a UN Security Council demand for a ceasefire in Israel’s genocidal war, protests broke out in several parts of the world. Chanting “Shut Down Wall Street,” hundreds of protesters gathered in lower Manhattan, New York City, to demonstrate support for Gaza. A similar demonstration was organized in Ramallah, an occupied West Bank city. The protest coincided with an increase in violence in the West Bank, where six Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces on Friday, according to the health ministry of the region.
In Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, women and children participated in a protest to express their support for the children of Gaza. As Israel’s war on Gaza enters its third month since October 7, toys wrapped in white sheets and tiny cardboard coffins with the Palestinian flag were arranged to symbolize the children lost in Gaza. The protests are happening as the Gaza Health Ministry reports that Israeli forces have killed 17,487 people in the strip.
Despite growing calls to end the Zionist regime’s atrocities, the United States has vetoed a UN Security Council demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Israel’s genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip.
Friday saw 13 Security Council members support a draft resolution proposed by the United Arab Emirates, while the US vetoed it and Britain abstained, further isolating itself and condoning Israel’s aggression.
“Tonight, the UK refused to back a UN resolution for a ceasefire,” said former UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
“We mourn those who will die because their lives were deemed unworthy of protection. And we vow to keep demonstrating in solidarity with the Palestinian people to end the bombings, blockades, and occupation,” Corbyn added.
The vote was held after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter. In a letter to the 15-member UNSC on Wednesday, Guterres invoked the rarely-used Article 99, his equivalent of pushing the panic button, saying he believed the situation in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory “may aggravate existing threats to the maintenance of international peace and security.”
“What is the message we are sending Palestinians if we cannot unite behind a call to halt the relentless bombardment of Gaza?” Deputy UAE UN Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab asked the council.
Condemning the US for vetoing the ceasefire resolution, Hamas said in a statement that it considers the US is complicit in Israel’s genocidal war.
“We strongly condemn the Biden administration’s veto that hindered a resolution in the UN Security Council demanding an immediate halt to the aggression on Gaza. We consider the US administration to be an accomplice in the killing of our people through its political and military support for the occupation to continue its genocidal war on Gaza.
“We thank the countries that voted in favor of the resolution, especially Russia, China, and the Arab group. We call on the international community to take serious and tangible steps to stop the Nazi occupation’s massacres, which have exceeded the horror of the worst crimes committed in modern times,” the statement said.
Hamas has also urged the masses of the Arab and Islamic Ummah to come out in powerful gatherings in all cities, capitals, and squares to support the besieged Gaza people.
“We call upon its scholars, leaders, institutions, and vibrant forces to come out in powerful gatherings this Friday and in the coming days. Actively participate in solidarity marches and protests with our people in the Gaza Strip, exerting pressure to deliver relief, humanitarian, and medical aid to all parts of Gaza and to halt the Zionist aggression against innocent civilians.”
Hamas has also slammed Israeli troops for making at least 100 detained men take their clothes off to their underwear in public.
At a press conference, the Ministry of Health spokesman, Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra called on the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Health Organization to visit and inspect the conditions of medical personnel detained by the Israeli occupation and to work seriously and immediately to release them.
