The United States on Wednesday vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that called for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza and unhindered aid access throughout the war-torn enclave, writes A2 CNN.
The US was the only country to vote against the measure on Wednesday, while the other 14 council members voted in favor of the draft, as a humanitarian crisis has engulfed the enclave of more than 2 million people, where famine threatens and aid has only arrived since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade last month.
Israeli attacks across the enclave have killed nearly 100 Palestinians in the past 24 hours due to a devastating aid blockade, A2 CNN reports.
The resolution also called for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, but Washington said this was an "unfulfilled demand" because the ceasefire request is not directly related to the release of hostages.
In comments before the vote began, US Acting Ambassador Dorothy Shea made clear her country's opposition to the resolution, which she said "should not come as a surprise."
"The United States has taken a very clear position since the beginning of this conflict that Israel has the right to defend itself, which includes defeating Hamas and ensuring that they are never again in a position to threaten Israel," she told the council, according to A2 CNN.
Meanwhile, China's ambassador, Fu Cong, said Israel's actions had "crossed every red line" of international humanitarian law and seriously violated UN resolutions. "However, due to the protection of one country, these violations have not been stopped or held accountable." (A2 Televizion)
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