The US on Nov. 20 vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called for a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. All other members of the 15-seat council voted in favor of the resolution, which was sponsored by the panel’s 10 non-permanent members. Only the US used its veto as a permanent council member to block the ceasefire resolution.This marked the 49th time the US used its veto power against Israel-related UN Security Council draft resolutions.The US envoy to the UN said Washington would only support a resolution that explicitly calls for the immediate release of hostages as part of a ceasefire deal. The UNSC resolution has called for unconditional release of all hostages, but did not make one contingent on ceasefire.
