US vetoes UN ceasefire resolution in Gaza

The United States on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution that demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent" ceasefire in Gaza, while Israel continued to pound Gaza and Lebanon.

The 15-member council voted on a resolution put forward by 10 non-permanent members, however, only the US voted against, using its veto as a permanent council member to block it.

Robert Wood, deputy US ambassador to the UN, said Washington had made clear it would only support a resolution that explicitly called for the immediate release of captives held in Gaza as part of a ceasefire.