The United States on Wednesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution that called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza, citing concerns that the measure failed to link a truce to the release of hostages held by Hamas. The veto blocked the resolution despite support from 14 of the Council’s 15 members.

The resolution called for the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.” While the measure received near-unanimous backing, it was not adopted due to the US exercising its veto power. US Representative Dorothy Shea defended the veto, stating: “We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza.”

Hamas condemned the US veto, calling Washington “a partner in the aggression against our people.” The group accused the US of enabling Israeli actions in Gaza that are responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians. The observer of the State of Palestine also stated in light of the failed attempts to reach a ceasefire, “Does that mean Israel can continue its destruction of the Gaza Strip—and all life within it—while the negotiations continue?” 

The veto came as Israeli strikes continue to kill Palestinians. The International Committee of the Red Cross reported treating 179 people in a single day at its field hospital in Rafah, describing it as the highest number of weapon-wounded in one incident since the facility’s establishment. Local medics also alleged Israeli forces opened fire on crowds near the aid distribution points. Initially, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied any proof of shots being fired, but eventually acknowledged firing at several individuals near the site.

Up to 60 Palestinians have been killed at aid distribution centers operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed organization established in 2025 to replace the UN-led aid system in Gaza. UN officials claimed that impeding access to the resources and aid offered to the Palestinians through force may constitute a war crime.

The UN has been critical of this distribution point. The UN has rejected the new system, saying it does not comply with core humanitarian principles and allows Israel to use aid as a weapon. UN officials further note that their own distribution system functioned effectively during the March ceasefire and was carefully monitored to ensure accountability.

The UN has previously criticized Israel’s restrictions on aid and accused it of using food as leverage in the conflict. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) recently estimated that 500,000 people in Gaza face starvation, with tens of thousands of children at risk of acute malnutrition.