US Vetoes Resolution UN Security Council For Ceasefire In Gaza

The vote came as Israel prepares to move into the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, where some 1.4mn people have fled

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The United States vetoed a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution on Tuesday that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, even as President Joe Biden faced mounting pressure to dial back support for Israel.

The resolution, which Algeria had been working on for three weeks, had demanded "an immediate humanitarian ceasefire that must be respected by all parties".

"Proceeding with a vote today was wishful and irresponsible... we cannot support a resolution that would put sensitive negotiations in jeopardy," said Washington's ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, while advocating an alternate resolution drafted by the US.

The vote came as Israel prepares to move into the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, where some 1.4 million people have fled, as part of its mission to destroy the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

However Israel is facing increased pressure to hold off, including from its closest ally the United States.

After months of struggling for a united response, all EU members except Hungary called on Monday for an "immediate humanitarian pause".