US vetoes Security Council resolution for humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza

The United States on Friday used its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to block the passage of a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire that would require Israel to halt its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.  

The U.S. opposed the draft resolution because the text was “divorced from reality,” said Robert Wood, Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs, in remarks to the Security Council. 

“We still cannot comprehend why the resolution’s authors declined to include language condemning Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on Israel on October 7,” Wood said, explaining that other recommended provisions raised by the U.S. were ignored. 

Thirteen members of the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution, which was put forward by the United Arab Emirates, which holds the presidency of the council for December.