US vetoes UN resolution for a cease-fire in Gaza

Concern about the number of civilian deaths in Gaza's conflict intensified on Friday, so much so that the US blocked a UN resolution urging an immediate ceasefire.

The UK abstained and the US vetoed the resolution, while thirteen nations supported it.

Presented by the United Arab Emirates, a draft copy of the resolution demanded "an immediate humanitarian ceasefire," "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," and "ensuring humanitarian access."

The UAE-drafted law has at least 97 co-sponsors who contributed to the endeavor.

The vote marked the group's sixth effort, with 15 members, to come to a decision about the current conflict between Israel and Hamas. The proposal to build "humanitarian pauses and corridors" in Gaza was approved in the one and only prior vote that took place last month.

Following UN Secretary-General António Guterres' infrequent use of Article 99 of the UN charter to convene a Security Council meeting on a matter that “may aggravate existing threats to the maintenance of international peace and security,” the vote took place on Friday.

The potent instrument had not been utilized since 1989.