For the sixth time, Washington uses its veto in the Security Council to thwart the ceasefire in Gaza.

The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Wednesday calling for an immediate, permanent, and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, submitted by the ten non-permanent members of the council.

Fourteen members of the 15-member council voted in favor of the draft resolution, but it was not adopted due to the United States—one of the five permanent members of the Security Council—using its veto.

It is noteworthy that Wednesday's veto marks the sixth time since October 7, 2023, that the United States has used its veto power to thwart UN Security Council efforts to adopt a ceasefire resolution. It used its veto on October 18, 2023; December 8, 2023; February 20, 2024; April 18, 2024 (on which day the veto was against the recognition of the State of Palestine as a full member state); November 20, 2024; and Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

While the administration of former President Joe Biden used its veto power to thwart Security Council efforts five times, this is the first time the administration of President Donald Trump has used it, given that this is the first time a draft resolution for a ceasefire has been proposed since Trump took office on January 20.

The draft resolution called for "the immediate, unconditional, and dignified release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups," according to a UN statement.

He also called for the immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution on a large scale, including by the United Nations and humanitarian partners across the Gaza Strip.

How it was voted on: United States of America

Acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea said before the vote that her country's rejection of the draft resolution "should not come as a surprise," adding, "The United States has been clear: We will not support any measure that does not condemn Hamas."

She added, "Any decision that undermines the security of our close ally, Israel, is completely unacceptable."

She stressed that no one wants to see Palestinian civilians in Gaza suffer from hunger or thirst, calling on the United Nations and non-governmental organizations to support the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and help it deliver aid safely without Hamas seizing it.

The organization has failed miserably in carrying out its mission, with the Israeli occupation army killing nearly 100 people since it began operations on May 27. The organization also suspended its operations on Wednesday "to reorganize its efforts," according to a statement it issued.

Shea requested the floor after the vote in response to a statement by "one member state of the Council," reiterating Israel's right to defend itself and noting that Israel has taken numerous measures to limit harm to civilians and address humanitarian needs.

She added, "The loss of civilian life in Gaza is tragic. We all mourn this, but the responsibility for it lies with Hamas." She explained that blaming Israel and leveling accusations of "genocide" is not only inaccurate, but also dangerous.

UK

British Ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward said she voted in favor of the draft resolution because "the unbearable situation in Gaza must end." She expressed her country's determination to work to end the war, secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, and alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian situation for Palestinians in Gaza.

She added that the Israeli government's decision to expand its military operation in Gaza and impose severe restrictions on aid is unjustified, disproportionate, and counterproductive.

She pointed to the Israeli government's claims about its new aid distribution system, saying that "Palestinians desperate to feed their families" were killed while trying to access aid, describing the situation as inhumane.

Algeria

Algerian Ambassador Amar Benjamaa, who represents the Arab Group on the Security Council, said that the humanitarian draft resolution, "even though it was obstructed by the veto, represents a mirror that reflects the suffering of multilateralism and the urgent need to revive it."

He added that the draft resolution represents "the collective will of the entire world and a message to the Palestinian people that you are not alone, and to the Israeli occupier that the world is watching them."

He stressed the need to remove the "shield of impunity," adding that today's vote "reveals why the Israeli occupier continues its crimes: because it has never faced justice, and because it has always felt protected, while victims are buried without names, without headlines, without investigation, and without accountability."

He stressed that the Security Council should have acted "to prevent the killing of Palestinian children from becoming a mere hobby, and should have acted to impose a ceasefire in Gaza so that starvation would not be legitimized as a weapon."

The Algerian ambassador said his country would stand with the Palestinian people and would return to the Council repeatedly for "the hungry who refuse to trade their dignity for bread under siege, the thirsty who are killed in search of clean water, and because Palestinians deserve to live in freedom and dignity."

China

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, noted that the vote's outcome once again reveals that the root cause of the Council's inability to de-escalate the conflict in Gaza is repeated obstructionism by the United States, noting that Washington has once again abused its veto power, "extinguishing the glimmer of hope for the people of Gaza."

"The use of the veto by a single permanent member cannot stop the peace process," he said.

He warned that the conflict had gone beyond a hostage rescue operation, calling on Israel to immediately cease military operations and fully restore access to humanitarian supplies.

Fu said that respect for international humanitarian law is an obligation that all parties must fulfill, adding: "Any double standards or selective application will only erode the foundations of the rule of international law and must be categorically rejected."

Russia

For his part, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said that today's vote was an opportunity "to see who truly wants peace in the Middle East and who wants to continue geopolitical maneuvering."

He added that it was another missed opportunity to demonstrate "the Security Council's willingness to assume the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security in the context of the eight-decade-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict."

Under the current circumstances, Nebenzia said his country has particular hopes for the high-level conference on implementing the two-state solution scheduled to be held this month, which will be co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France.

He added, "It is important to ensure that its results are tangible and that it aims to breathe new life into the idea of a two-state solution," stressing that the international community must demonstrate collective will and do its utmost to ensure the necessary conditions are created for the resumption of this process.

France

France's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jérôme Bonnafont, described what is happening in Gaza as "a tragedy taking place before our eyes." He expressed regret that the draft resolution was not adopted, saying, "The Security Council was prevented from assuming its responsibility, despite the consensus of our majority on a single position."

He reiterated his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, stating that the provision of humanitarian aid should not be conditional on a ceasefire or used for political purposes.

He called on the Israeli government to abide by its international obligations to ensure the immediate, widespread, safe, and unrestricted provision of humanitarian assistance to people throughout Gaza. He reiterated his country's support for UN agencies and their humanitarian partners, saying they have proven their ability to deliver aid.

He stressed the need to release all hostages without delay or conditions. He also emphasized the need to disarm Hamas, stating that it cannot be part of the solution in Gaza.

He said that the Security Council must work towards implementing the two-state solution: Israel and Palestine.

Palestine

Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, stressed that "what can stop this genocide is for states to take immediate and concrete measures to deter Israel from prolonging its aggression against the Palestinian people and to compel it to halt its mad march in the occupied Palestinian territory."

He wondered whether the Security Council could not act - as required by the UN Charter - in the face of the open and continuing threat to millions of human lives.

He pointed out that this draft resolution was long overdue, "coming months after Israel violated the ceasefire, imposed a comprehensive blockade on humanitarian aid, and resumed, and even escalated, its relentless killing of Palestinian children, women, and men."

Addressing the countries that voted in favor of the draft resolution, as well as the member states of the General Assembly, Mansour said, "You can act in your national capacity. You have the tools available to compel those who create this miserable life for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, who kill and starve them, to stop this crime against humanity."

"Act now. Act decisively. Act to end impunity. Act to end these atrocities. Act for humanity," he added.

Slovenia

Slovenia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Samuel Zbogar, presented the draft resolution on behalf of the ten non-permanent member states before the vote. He said, "We firmly believe that this Council must act urgently and decisively to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza, in line with its mandate to maintain international peace and security. The draft resolution is the result of consultations among all Council members."

He explained that the draft resolution's text reflects the consensus reached by all Council members on "the need to immediately stop the war in Gaza, release all hostages immediately and unconditionally, prevent the starvation of civilians in Gaza, and enable them to have full and unrestricted access to aid."

The draft resolution also called for the restoration of all essential services in accordance with international humanitarian law and the humanitarian principles of "humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence," and all relevant Security Council resolutions.

The draft resolution expressed grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the risk of famine, as outlined in the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report.