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The US has vetoed a UN Security Council attempt to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, US Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood stressed: "We have made clear throughout the negotiations that we cannot support an unconditional ceasefire without ensuring the release of the hostages."
The 15-member UN Security Council voted in favor of a resolution put forward by the 10 non-permanent members, calling for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and separately demanding the release of the hostages. Only the US voted against, using its veto power as a permanent member.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the vote, a senior US official said Washington would only support a resolution that explicitly called for the immediate release of hostages as part of a ceasefire.
The 13-month conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has claimed the lives of nearly 44,000 people on both sides. Nearly the entire population of this Palestinian territory has been displaced at least once since the conflict broke out on October 7, 2023.
