For the fourth time throughout the crisis, the United States has exercised its veto authority to protect its partner, Israel, by blocking a draft resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza at the UN Security Council.
The text, which called for the conflict in Gaza “to end immediately, unconditionally, and permanently, and all remaining hostages must be immediately and unconditionally released,” was approved by 14 of the 15 Council members.
The need for “a linkage between a ceasefire and the release of hostages” was “abandoned” in the document, according to Robert Wood, the deputy US ambassador to the UN.
The US was harshly chastised by those who opposed the veto, with France expressing “deep regret” for the action.
