U.S. once again vetoes Security Council resolution demanding immediate Gaza ceasefire, hostage release

The United States once again vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution Thursday (September 18, 2025) that had demanded an immediate and everlasting ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages after saying that the hassle didn’t go far sufficient in condemning Hamas.

All 14 different members of the United Nations’ strongest physique voted in favour of the resolution, which described the humanitarian state of affairs in Gaza as “catastrophic” and referred to as on Israel to elevate all restrictions on the supply of help to the two.1 million Palestinians within the territory. The consequence additional highlights U.S. and Israeli isolation on the world stage concerning the almost two-year warfare in Gaza.

Also learn: Israel-Gaza warfare: Mass displacement, starvation, and dying toll

The vote got here simply days forward of the annual gathering of world leaders on the U.N. General Assembly, the place Gaza can be a significant matter and the place main U.S. allies are anticipated to recognise an unbiased Palestinian state.

It is a largely symbolic transfer that’s vehemently opposed by Israel and the U.S., dividing the Trump administration from shut allies, together with the U.Okay. and France.

The resolution, drafted by the council’s 10 elected members who serve two-year phrases, goes additional than earlier drafts to spotlight what it calls the “deepening of suffering” of Palestinian civilians.

It additionally reiterates calls for from earlier resolutions, together with for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and different militant teams following their October 7, 2023, shock assault in southern Israel that launched the warfare in Gaza.

Watch: How Israel’s escalating strikes on Gaza threaten regional stability

In opposing comparable resolutions since November, the U.S. has complained that the calls for, together with a ceasefire, weren’t instantly linked to the unconditional release of hostages and would solely embolden Hamas militants.

Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., blasted the brand new resolution, saying that it might “not release the hostages and will not bring security to the region”.

“Israel will continue to fight Hamas and protect its citizens, even if the Security Council prefers to turn a blind eye to terrorism,” he stated in an announcement Thursday (September 18, 2025).

The resolution additionally expressed “deep alarm” after a report launched final month by the world’s main authority on meals crises stated Gaza City has change into gripped by famine and that it’s more likely to unfold throughout the territory with out a ceasefire and an finish to restrictions on humanitarian help.

Israeli forces have pressed on with a brand new floor offensive in Gaza City. The newest Israeli operation, which began Tuesday, additional escalates a battle that has roiled the Middle East and sure pushes any ceasefire additional out of attain.

The Israeli army, which says it desires to “destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure”, hasn’t given a timeline for the offensive, however there have been indications it might take months.

That identical day, a workforce of unbiased consultants commissioned by the U.N. Human Rights Council concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, issuing a report that referred to as on the worldwide group to finish it and take steps to punish these accountable for it.

Last week, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to assist a two-state resolution to the Israel-Palestinian battle and urged Israel to decide to a Palestinian state.

Expectations for a U.S. veto of the resolution Thursday comes as about half of Americans say the Israeli army response within the Gaza Strip has “gone too far”, based on the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research. That’s up from November 2023, when 40% stated Israel’s army motion had gone too far.

But on the identical time, Americans total, notably Republicans, are much less more likely to say that negotiating a ceasefire needs to be a excessive precedence for the U.S. authorities than they had been only a few months in the past when the U.S. was holding ceasefire talks with Hamas.