US vetoes Security Council resolution

New York (dpa) — The United States on Thursday again vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on the war in Gaza.

Washington was the only country to vote against the motion, which received 14 votes in favour – including Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France and the 10 non-permanent members.

The text expressed deep concern about famine in Gaza and demanded that the Israeli government “immediately and unconditionally lifts all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and ensures its safe and unhindered distribution to the population.”

According to the United Nations, this was the 10,000th meeting of the Security Council in its 80th year of existence.

US representative Morgan Ortagus justified the veto on the grounds that the “unacceptable” resolution supported the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Washington is Israel’s closest ally, and the Trump administration has stood unwaveringly by the Jewish state despite growing criticism of the war in the coastal strip.

The resolution also rejected “any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip” and called for an unconditional ceasefire and the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.

Pressure on Israel has grown recently and is likely to increase further ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

On Monday, a number of countries – including France – are set to recognize a Palestinian state at a conference on the two-state solution.