The US has vetoed a United Nations resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. 

Of the 15-member UN Security Council, 13 called for an immediate ceasefire, but the US vetoed the resolution last night. 

The UK abstained from voting as the resolution did not include a clear condemnation of Hamas. 

US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood also criticised the council for not condemning Hamas. 

“We still cannot comprehend why the resolution’s authors declined to include language condemning Hamas horrific terrorist attack on Israel on October 7th,” he said. 

“An attack that killed over 1,200 people, women, children the elderly, people from a range of nationalities burned alive gunned down subjected to obscene sexual violence.” 

Mr Woods also argued a ceasefire in Gaza now would only “plant the seeds for the next war”. 

“Hamas has no desire to see a durable peace,” he said. “I am pained by the suffering that we have witnessed over the last two months. 

“Even when we as governments are compelled to take up arms and protect our people from the most heinous acts of terrorism and violence, war is tragic.” 

'Criminal war' in Israel and Gaza

The US’ decision to veto the ceasefire has been criticised by other UN Security Council members. 

The United Arab Emirates, who proposed the resolution, said that the imperative of saving lives right now must come before anything else. 

UN Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour said he will continue to call for the UN to take action in Gaza on the current war between Israel and Hamas. 

“We will continue knocking on the door of the Security Council until it wakes up and shoulder its responsibility by stopping this criminal war against the Palestinian people,” he said. 

Elimination of Hamas

Ahead of the vote last night, UN Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan said the fight would continue until Hamas was defeated. 

“Israel will continue with her mission the elimination of Hamas terror capabilities and the return of all of the hostages,” he said. 

“We will complete our mission while supporting every humanitarian initiative for Gazans.” 

The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported more that 17,400 people in Gaza have been killed since the attacks by Hamas on October 7th that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and over 200 hostages being taken. 

Israel also said two of its soldiers were seriously injured last night in a failed attempt to free hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza.