Israel-Hamas war: US again vetoes UN Security Council resolution for Gaza ceasefire

The United States on Tuesday (Feb 20) again vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Thirteen council members voted in favour of the Algerian-drafted text, while Britain abstained as Hamas condemned the move saying it amounted to giving Israel the "green light" to carry out "more massacres".

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who is Washington's ambassador to the UN, said: "Proceeding with a vote today was wishful and irresponsible... we cannot support a resolution that would put sensitive negotiations in jeopardy." She also advocated an alternate resolution drafted by the US.

The Palestinian envoy to the United Nations Riyad Mansour called it "absolutely reckless and dangerous".

The demand was aimed at pushing the 15-member body to call for an urgent humanitarian ceasefire linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas.

It was the third such US veto since the start of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas militants, which began when the Palestinian Islamist group launched an unprecedented attack on October 7.

The attack resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to official figures released by Israel. Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas and launched a massive military offensive in Gaza that the territory's health ministry claims has killed at least 28,340 people, mostly women and children.

Prince William: 'Too many' have been killed

Britain's Prince William weighed in on the ongoing conflict, calling on Tuesday for an end to the fighting in Gaza.

He said that the "sheer scale of human suffering" had brought home the need for peace in an enclave "where too many have been killed".

Watch:Israel-Hamas war | Gazans demand ceasefire, Arab intervention

The comments were rare as it was an unusually direct intervention for a member of the royal family. William, the heir to the British throne, said it was critical that aid got through to those sheltering in Gaza, and that Hamas must release the hostages.

"I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October. Too many have been killed," William said in a statement.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)