US Veto Resolution Of UN DK Regarding Ceasefire When Victims Died In Gaza Reaches 43,972 People

Israeli military operations in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - The United States on Wednesday vetoed UN Security Council resolutions for a ceasefire in Israel's war in Gaza, accusing council members of cynically rejecting efforts to achieve compromise.

The 15-member council held a resolution vote submitted by 10 non-permanent members, in a meeting calling for an "independent, unconditional and permanent ceasefire", separately demanding the release of hostages.

Only the US voted against it, using its veto rights as a permanent member of the council to block the resolution.

A senior US official who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity before the vote said the US would only support a resolution explicitly calling for the release of hostages immediately as part of the ceasefire.

"As we have stated many times before, we cannot support an unconditional ceasefire that does not call for immediate release of hostages," the official said.

Ahead of the vote, Britain submitted a new proposal that the US would support as a compromise, but was rejected, the US official said.

Some of the 10 elected council members (E10) are more interested in submitting US veto than compromise on the resolution, the official said, accusing Russia and China of pushing the members.

"China continues to demand a'stronger language' and Russia seems to be trying hard with the various 10 members (selected)," the official said.

"This really weakens this narrative as an organic reflection of the E10 and there are some opinions, some E10 members regret those responsible for its preparation allowing the process to be manipulated for what we consider a cynical purpose."

Separately, Gaza's health authorities confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from Palestine since the latest conflict broke out last year has reached 43,972 people and injured 104,008 others. The majority of victims were children and women, quoted from WAFA.