Sept. 19 (UPI) -- The United States voted down a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a permanent end to the fighting in Gaza and the release of all hostages on the grounds that it did not contain sufficient condemnation of Hamas.
The other 14 countries on the council all backed the draft resolution, which was put forward by its 10 non-permanent members, in the vote at the United Nations in New York on Thursday. Permanent members the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China can individually veto any resolution.
Describing the humanitarian conditions in Gaza as "catastrophic," the resolution demanded Israel remove all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid and ensure it was safely distributed to the population, in particular by United Nations bodies and other agencies.
U.S. deputy envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, said the resolution's failure to condemn Hamas or recognize Israel's right to defend itself meant Washington's opposition should not be a surprise to anyone.
She said the text also "wrongly legitimizes the false narratives benefiting Hamas, which have sadly found currency in this Council," she said.
