US vetoes UN resolution on Gaza ceasefire over lack of link to hostage release

Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike in the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

The United States has vetoed a UN resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the war in Gaza on Wednesday because it is not linked to an immediate release of hostages taken captive by Hamas in Israel in October 2023.

The UN Security Council voted 14-1 in favour of the resolution sponsored by the 10 elected members on the 15-member council, but it was not adopted because of the US veto.