The United States on Wednesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza, despite the support of all 14 other council members, including the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China.

The veto marks the fifth time since October 7, 2023, that Washington has blocked such a resolution at the Security Council, again citing concerns that the proposed measure failed to include direct condemnation of Hamas or address hostage release demands.

The resolution, co-sponsored by Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia, described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "catastrophic." It called for the "immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution at scale, including by the UN and humanitarian partners."

US defense, Israeli approval

US Deputy Ambassador Dorothy Shea defended the veto, labeling the draft resolution "unacceptable" and reiterating Washington’s position that no resolution would be supported unless it explicitly condemned Hamas, demanded its disarmament, and its withdrawal from Gaza.

"Israel" immediately welcomed the veto. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar thanked US President Donald Trump, writing on X, "I thank @POTUS and the U.S. administration for standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel and vetoing this one-sided resolution."

"The proposed resolution only strengthens Hamas and undermines American efforts to achieve a hostage deal," he claimed.

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UK: Israeli actions are unjustifiable, inhumane

In a rare break from its traditional alignment with Washington, the United Kingdom voted in favor of the resolution. UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward issued a scathing statement criticizing "Israel’s" military campaign and obstruction of humanitarian aid.

"This Israeli government’s decisions to expand its military operations in Gaza and severely restrict aid are unjustifiable, disproportionate, and counterproductive," Woodward said, saying that what "Israel" claims is an aid policy is "inhumane."

She called for the unconditional removal of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian operations and backed UN calls for an independent investigation into the deaths of dozens of Palestinians reportedly shot while queuing for aid earlier this week.

Read more: 'Israel' kills 75 Palestinians near US Gaza 'aid centers'

Mounting humanitarian toll

The vote comes amid warnings from UN officials and humanitarian agencies of famine-like conditions in Gaza. The UN’s relief chief, Tom Fletcher, underlined that Palestinians are being killed "day after day, simply trying to eat."

The controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by "Israel" and the US, suspended operations for a second consecutive day following the killing of at least 27 civilians and the injury of hundreds during food aid distribution in Rafah, by direct Israeli gunfire in a repeated incident.

Moreover, on the day that the US vetoed the ceasefire resolution in Gaza, the Israeli occupation killed at least 62 Palestinians. So far, more than 54,600 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli occupation forces, and another 125,341 have been injured since the outbreak of the genocidal war on Palestine.

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