US Vetoes Security Council Resolution For Gaza Ceasefire

Hannah Parry, a Newsweek Live Blog Editor in New York, specializes in reporting on U.S. politics and society. She has an extensive background covering politics, tech, and crime. Having joined Newsweek in 2024, Hannah previously held roles at The U.S. Sun and The Daily Mail. She is a University of Nottingham graduate. Contact Hannah at h.parry@newsweek.com. Languages: English.

Sonam Sheth, an Evening Politics Editor at Newsweek based in New York, has experience covering national security, foreign policy, elections, and legal-political stories. She joined Newsweek in 2024 and has worked at outlets like Business Insider and CNBC. Sonam’s work has been featured in various publications and on television and radio. Reach out to Sonam at s.sheth@newsweek.com. Languages: English, Hindi, and French.

The United States utilized its veto power at the United Nations Security Council to block a resolution urging an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The U.S. has been involved in ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel since Israel’s military offensive against Gaza in response to a Hamas attack in 2023. The resolution, supported by other council members, called for the resumption of humanitarian aid in Gaza, but the U.S. opposed it citing concerns over Israel’s security.

Critics of the U.S. decision accused it of enabling Israel’s actions with impunity. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued that the resolution would empower Hamas, others like the Chinese ambassador to the UN and Britain’s ambassador condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as unjustifiable and disproportionate. Ceasefire discussions between Israel and Hamas continue.