On the 20th, the United Nations Security Council once again rejected a resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, with the United States voting against it. The resolution was co-sponsored by 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council. Together with the four permanent members of the Security Council, China, Britain, France and Russia, a total of 14 votes were in favor, but the United States cast a veto.

Robert Wood, the deputy ambassador of the United States to the United Nations, said that the United States will only support and call for a resolution to release the hostages, believing that the ceasefire and the release of the hostages need to be closely linked. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said the resolution “is not a path to peace, but a map to more terror, pain and bloodshed.” He also thanked the United States for exercising its veto.

This is the fourth time that U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has rejected a ceasefire agreement since the Gaza conflict broke out in October last year. So far, Israel’s bombing of Gaza has killed nearly 44,000 Palestinians. Human Rights Watch said the United States is once again using its veto power to ensure impunity for Israel as Israeli forces continue to commit crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.