US Vetoes UN Resolution Calling for Immediate Cease-Fire in Gaza, Despite Support from Other Nations

The United States vetoed a United Nations resolution Friday that was backed by almost all other Security Council members and many other nations. The resolution demanded an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood criticized the council for its failure to condemn Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel in which the militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, or to acknowledge Israel’s right to defend itself.

Today, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the death of five soldiers. Four of the soldiers were identified as Liav Atiya, 25, Omri Ben Shachar, 25, Maor Cohen Eisenkot, 19, and Jonathan Dean Jr. Haim, 25. The fifth soldier, Haim Meir Eden, 20, died of his wounds today after sustaining injuries on Oct. 7. Supporters of the soldiers called it a terrible day and warned of more civilian deaths and destruction as the war goes into its third month.

The vetoed resolution called for a full cease-fire and an end to the war in Gaza. Wood argued that halting military action would allow Hamas to continue to rule Gaza and “only plant the seeds of future conflict.” He added that the resolution failed to address the root causes of the conflict and that the U.S. would continue to work with the international community to bring about a lasting peace.

The vetoed resolution was supported by many nations, including France, Russia, and China. The U.S. was the only nation to vote against the resolution. The vetoed resolution is the latest in a series of attempts by the international community to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza.