The United States on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution for a cease-fire in Israel's war in Gaza, accusing council members of cynically rejecting attempts at reaching a compromise.
The 15-member council voted on a resolution put forward by its 10 non-permanent members in a meeting that called for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire" and separately demanded the release of hostages.
Only the U.S. voted against, using its veto as a permanent council member to block the resolution.
A senior U.S. official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity ahead of the vote, said the U.S. would only support a resolution that explicitly calls for the immediate release of hostages as part of a cease-fire.
"As we stated many times before, we just can't support an unconditional cease-fire that does not call for the immediate release of hostages," the official said.