US vetoes UN resolution demanding ceasefire in Gaza over exclusion of hostage release

The United States vetoed the United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an "immediate and permanent" ceasefire in the Gaza Strip over the measure not having the release of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas as a condition for the truce. 

The resolution, which was backed by 14 of the 15 member states, also did not say that Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, has to disarm and depart the war-torn enclave, and it did not condemn the group for its Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel that killed around 1,200 Israelis and took some 250 hostage. 

"The U.S. opposition to this resolution should come as no surprise — it is unacceptable for what it does say, it is unacceptable for what it does not say, and it is unacceptable for the manner in which it has been advanced," said Dorothy Shea, the acting U.S. representative at the U.N. Security Council. 

“The United States has been clear,” Shea added. “We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas, that does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza.”

The resolution was co-sponsored by Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia. The measure called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza and the lifting of all obstacles in delivering aid to Palestinians. 

The U.S. is one of the five permanent members of the council and holds veto power that can block resolutions. 

The U.S. vetoed a similar resolution in November last year during former President Biden's administration, citing similar reasons. 

President Trump has pushed to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the two sides that have been at war for 20 months. A recent proposal by Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, which was approved by Israel, was dispatched to Hamas last week. Hamas sent the proposal back, asking for amendments that Witkoff blasted on Saturday as “totally unacceptable.” 

The vote came after the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the U.S.-backed organization, said Wednesday that it would pause distribution of food to ensure greater security after dozens of Palestinians were killed in recent days in proximity to the food delivery sites. The U.S. and Israel are supportive of the organization, saying it can distribute food without being stolen by Hamas. 

The U.N. has criticized the process, arguing it is not meeting the humanitarian needs of Palestinians and that the organization lacks independence. 

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said during a Thursday briefing that the foundation has distributed more than 7 million meals in Gaza.