United States Vetoes U.N. Cease-fire Resolution in Gaza Conflict

The United States vetoed multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict throughout late 2023 and into 2024. The first veto came in December 2023, when the U.S. blocked a resolution backed by more than 90 member states and put forward by the United Arab Emirates. Washington argued that a ceasefire demand not explicitly tied to the release of hostages held by Hamas would only embolden the militant group.

A second veto followed in February 2024, drawing sharp international criticism. Opponents argued the vetoes gave cover to Israeli military operations that had caused enormous civilian casualties in Gaza. The repeated use of the veto strained relationships with allies and fueled debate about the legitimacy of the Security Council's veto structure when a permanent member is closely allied with one party to a conflict.

Washington’s February 2024 veto was the third of six: the United States has blocked Gaza ceasefire resolutions at the Security Council six times since October 2023, most recently in September 2025 by a 14 to 1 vote, insisting each time that no ceasefire can come without hostage releaseUN News. One abstention broke the pattern in March 2024, when Resolution 2728 demanded a Ramadan truce that never took hold. The real ceasefire arrived in October 2025 through American mediation outside the Council, freeing the surviving hostages. It holds nominally while Israel consolidates nearly 70 percent of the Strip and at least 1,100 Palestinians have died under itAl Jazeera.