NEW YORK: The United States has once again used its veto power in the United Nations Security Council, blocking a resolution that called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.

The vote, which took place on September 19, 2025, marked the sixth time the U.S. has vetoed a similar measure related to the conflict.

All 14 other Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution, which described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “catastrophic” and urged Israel to lift all restrictions on aid delivery.

U.S. Deputy Middle East Envoy Morgan Ortagus explained the decision, stating that the text did not sufficiently condemn Hamas or acknowledge Israel’s right to self-defense.

This move highlights the growing isolation of the U.S. and Israel on the global stage, particularly as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies and world leaders prepare to discuss the conflict at the upcoming UN General Assembly.

Reactions to the veto were swift and emotional. Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour called the decision “deeply regrettable and painful,” while Pakistan’s ambassador Asim Ahmad described it as a “dark moment.”

Algeria’s ambassador, Amar Bendjama, apologized to the Palestinian people, saying, “Forgive us, because the world speaks of rights, but denies them to Palestinians.”

The veto comes as Israeli tanks and troops continue a ground offensive, with a UN humanitarian official describing the situation in Gaza City as “nothing short of cataclysmic.”

The conflict, which began after a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in a reported 65,141 deaths in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry.