The United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution that called for a permanent ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, blocking its adoption despite support from all 14 other members.

The resolution, introduced amid escalating humanitarian concerns, demanded an "immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire" and the release of all hostages. It also emphasized the "catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza and called for the "immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on the entry and safe, unhindered distribution of humanitarian aid," including aid delivered through the United Nations.

The U.K. representative stated that her country supported the resolution due to the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Slovenia's envoy stressed the urgent need to end the war and called for the unconditional release of detainees.

Under UN rules, Security Council resolutions require at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. While the draft met the vote threshold, the U.S. exercised its veto power, preventing its passage.

The Security Council is composed of 15 members: five permanent and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms, with half rotating annually based on regional representation.

In a separate development, the UN General Assembly on Tuesday elected five new non-permanent members to the Council for terms beginning January 1, 2026: Bahrain, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Latvia, and Colombia. They will replace Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia.