The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The vote, held on June 4, saw 14 of 15 members support the resolution—only the U.S. opposed it.
The resolution also urged the release of hostages held in Gaza. However, the U.S. rejected the measure, claiming the ceasefire was not adequately tied to hostage release conditions. Acting U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, defended the veto, stating that Israel’s right to self-defense and the need to eliminate Hamas remain U.S. priorities.
China’s ambassador criticized the ongoing Israeli actions as violations of international humanitarian law, accusing the UN of shielding Israel from accountability. Al Jazeera analyst Marwan Bishara remarked that the veto has further isolated the U.S. diplomatically amid growing global concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Since the war began in October 2023, nearly 100 Palestinians were reported killed in the past 24 hours alone, with humanitarian aid access severely restricted. Of 14 Gaza-related resolutions introduced to the Security Council, only four have been passed.
