TRANSCRIPT
The United States has used its veto power at the United Nations Security Council to block a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The vote on the matter had earlier been delayed so U-S Secretary of State Antony Blinken could meet with Middle Eastern leaders.
Nine votes were needed from the fifteen-member Security Council, but the veto from United States was enough to see the draft resolution fail to be adopted.
Several previous attempts to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire were also vetoed due to insufficient backing or because of vetoes from Russia, China or the US.
Deputy US ambassador Robert Wood says this latest resolution was rushed and "would not move the needle forward on the ground in any concrete way".
"While the United States strongly supports a durable peace in which both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security, we do not support calls for an immediate ceasefire. This would only plant the seeds for the next war because Hamas has no desire to see a durable peace, to see a two-state solution."
The majority of Security Council members, 13, backed the resolution, which if passed, would require Israel to cease all strikes against alleged Hamas targets at a time when their ground offensive in southern Gaza is ramping up.
97 nations also signed on as co-sponsors for the resolution put forward by the United Arab Emirates.
Britain's UN Ambassador, Barbara Woodward, says her country abstained because there was no condemnation of Hamas.
The vote was called after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres activated the rarely used Article 99 of the U-N Charter, calling on member states to address the impending 'humanitarian catastrophe' in Gaza.
It is the first time Article 99 has been used since Mr Guterres took office in 2017.
He says violations by Hamas do not justify what Israel is doing in return.
"I wrote to the Security Council invoking Article 99 because we are at the breaking point. There is a high risk of the total collapse of the humanitarian support system in Gaza, which would have devastating consequences. We anticipate that will result in a complete breakdown of public order and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt. I fear the consequences could be devastating for the security of the entire region."
Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour says the vote result is "disastrous".
Before the vote, he appealed to nations to take action to save the lives of civilians.
"Two-point-three million Palestinians are fighting for their lives as we speak every single day. Save them, tell them, show them help is on the way. We call on you in the name of humanity, in the name of justice, in the name of peace, to vote for a ceasefire by supporting the resolution presented by the United Arab Emirates as Arab representative on the Security Council."
Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan says he welcomes the vote result, as a total ceasefire would only cement Hamas' control of Gaza.
"Despite the immense global impact of other conflicts and far more pressing threats to international peace and security, Israel's defensive war against Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, was the catalyst for activating Article 99. The irony is that regional stability and the security of both Israelis and Gazans can only be achieved once Hamas is eliminated. Not one minute before. So the true path to ensure peace is only through supporting Israel's mission. Absolutely not to call for a ceasefire."
The veto comes as Israel has intensified its bombardment of Gaza, pounding the length of the enclave, killing hundreds of people with 450 strikes from land, sea, and air in the space of 24 hours.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari says two Israeli Defence Force soldiers were badly injured in an operation aimed at retrieving hostages taken by Hamas.
He says no hostages were rescued in the operation, but Israel will continue to seek their release.
"In the last 48 hours, we arrested more than 200 suspects. Dozens of them were transferred to the investigation Unit 504 of the Intelligence Division and the General Security Service in the territory of the country, including commanders in Hamas and Nukhba operatives. Interrogating them helps the continued activity of the forces in the field."
The vote result was condemned by Medecins Sans Frontiers who said inaction made the UN Security Council "complicit in the ongoing slaughter".
Human Rights Watch says "by continuing to provide Israel with weapons and diplomatic cover... the US risks complicity in war crimes".
According to the United Nations, about 80 percent of the population has been displaced as they face the threat of disease and ongoing shortages of food, fuel, water and medicine.
The UN says about 70 percent of the almost 17,500 people killed in Gaza since October 7 have been women and children.
Israeli officials say 1,200 Israelis were killed and 240 people taken hostage in the October 7 attack by Hamas.
