The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire” in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, marking the fifth time the U.S. has blocked such a measure since the war began in October 2023. The resolution, co-sponsored by Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia, received 14 votes in favor, with the U.S. casting the sole opposing vote.
The Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, condemned the U.S. veto of a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza on June 4, 2025, stating: “The United States has once again abused its veto power, extinguishing the glimmer of hope for the people in Gaza and ruthlessly continuing to leave over 2 million people in darkness. It must face the questioning from the international community,” he said.
The draft resolution demanded an immediate halt to hostilities between Israel and Hamas, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza, where a deepening crisis has left over 2.1 million Palestinians facing famine and displacement. It also denounced attempts to starve civilians and supported mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. for a phased ceasefire framework.
The veto drew sharp criticism from other Council members and global observers.
Palestinian Ambassador Majed Bamya condemned the veto, saying, the U.S. action as evidence of “blind bias” toward Israel.
The veto underscores the U.S.’s diplomatic isolation on the issue, as allies like France, the UK, and Japan supported the resolution.
