U.S. vetoes third U.N. resolution for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

The United States has vetoed a widely supported United Nations resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

The U.S. says the veto comes on the grounds that it would interfere with negotiations on a deal to free hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7.

Tuesday’s vote from the Security Council was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining. It reflected strong support globally for reaching an end to the more than four-month war.

It was the third veto from the U.S. of a Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire that followed the introduction from the country of an alternative resolution that supported a temporary ceasefire, rather than a permanent one.

That call was linked to the release of all hostages, as well as lifting all restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid.

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Notably, the proposed resolution marked the first time the U.S. used the word “ceasefire” in relation to the ongoing war.

Despite the veto, virtually all members, including the U.S., expressed serious concern of an impending catastrophe in Rafah should Israel proceed with a planned ground invasion of the city where 1.5 million Palestinians have fled to.

The now defeated Arab-backed resolution would have demanded an immediate ceasefire for all parties, essentially bringing an end to the war.

Beyond the ceasefire, it would have also seen the rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians, unrestricted humanitarian access throughout Gaza and reiterated demands that both Israel and Hamas act in line with international law.

Meanwhile, the U.N. World Food Programme has announced it will be ending food deliveries to northern Gaza after drivers faced gunfire and violence from desperate citizens who swarmed the trucks.

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