The United States vetoes a UN resolution on a ceasefire in Gaza, claiming that it does not ensure the release of hostages.

Because it would not have guaranteed the release of hostages, the United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Throughout the negotiations, we were clear that we could not back an unconditional ceasefire that did not result in the hostages' release. Because the release of the prisoners must result in a lasting end to the war, as this council has previously demanded," Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood stated after the veto on Wednesday.

These two pressing objectives are inseparable. The United States was unable to endorse this resolution because it disregarded that requirement," Wood continued.

There are still seven American Americans detained in Gaza. He declared, "We will not forget them."

An "immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire to be respected by all parties; and further reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," according to the resolution presented to the 15-member council by its 10 non-permanent members.

However, because the truce was not contingent on the prisoners' release, US authorities believed the wording was insufficiently forceful.

In addition to failing to "condemn Hamas for its October 7 terrorist attack," Wood said the resolution's writers had refused to consider compromise language that would have allowed it to pass.

The United States was the only country to vote against the resolution, exercising its veto power as one of the council's five permanent members.

The UK, which has previously abstained from three past ceasefire resolutions that the US has rejected, was one of the four permanent members that voted in favor of it.

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon stated prior to the voting that it would have been a "betrayal" to approve the resolution.

Israel is emboldened by the Veto: Palestinian Authority
Officials from Palestine denounced the veto. "The wholesale murder of people is not acceptable. An entire civilian population cannot be starved. Forcibly uprooting a people is never acceptable. Additionally, annexation is not permitted. According to Majed Bamya, deputy ambassador to the Palestine mission to the UN, Israel is doing this in Gaza.

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA said that the US action "emboldens Israel to continue its crimes against innocent civilians in Palestine and Lebanon," as stated by the Palestinian Authority presidency.

Guyana Ambassador Carolyn Allison Rodrigues-Birkett said the council's 10 elected members (E10) who sponsored the draft resolution were "deeply disappointed" that it was not adopted. Guyana is among the E10 countries.

France, a permanent member, also voiced dissatisfaction. The implementation of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire is clearly urgent. According to France's UN representative Nicolas de Riviere, "this is the only way to guarantee the protection of all civilians and the massive and unhindered delivery of emergency aid."

Supporting the resolution was "an expression of our determination to end this war, stop the suffering in Gaza, and secure the immediate release of the hostages," according to UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward.

A ceasefire plan supported by the United States to end the war was agreed by the Security Council in June. For the first time, the UNSC approved such a plan, with 14 of the 15 members voting in favor and Russia abstaining.

Israel, meanwhile, declared after the vote that it would not participate in "meaningless" talks with Hamas and that it would continue its military assault.