U.S. vetoes UN Security Council resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now.

The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution that called for an immediate "unconditional and permanent" ceasefire in Gaza.

On Wednesday, the U.S. exercised its veto power to block a UN Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.

All 14 other security council members supported the draft resolution.

Acting U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, defended the veto, stating that the resolution failed to condemn Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, did not call for the group's disarmament, nor its withdrawal from Gaza.

She said, "We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza."

The U.S. also vetoed the last Security Council resolution on Gaza in November.