Overview

• Fourteen members supported a draft demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access and the immediate release of hostages, but the U.S. vote prevented adoption.
• U.S. deputy envoy Morgan Ortagus argued the text failed to reflect increased aid flows and criticized it for not condemning Hamas.
• Diplomats voiced anger and grief over civilian suffering, with Pakistan calling the outcome a "dark moment" and Algeria offering apologies to Gazans.
• The vote followed a Aug. 22 UN famine declaration for Gaza based on IPC analysis that attributed responsibility to Israel, which Israeli authorities dispute.
• The veto leaves the Council at an impasse ahead of next week’s UN summit, prolonging disputes over humanitarian access, hostage releases and legal accountability.