Israel cancels US talks after UN Gaza ceasefire vote
By Christy Cooney
Israel has cancelled meetings in Washington after the US declined to veto a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The resolution, which also called for the release of all hostages, followed several failed attempts at similar measures since the 7 October attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the US of having “abandoned” its previous policy.
The spat comes amid calls for urgent action to avert a famine in Gaza.
Since the start of the conflict, the US has used its veto power to block three Security Council resolutions calling for pauses in the fighting or a ceasefire. Another two have been vetoed by both Russia and China.
On Monday, the US abstained on a resolution that called for an “immediate” ceasefire for the rest of the month of Ramadan – two weeks – and the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages”.
The 14 other members of the council, including the UK, voted in favour, meaning the resolution passed.
Following the vote, Mr Netanyahu objected that the resolution did not make the call for a ceasefire conditional on the release of the hostages, as the US and Israel had both argued it should. Israel believes Hamas and its allies are still holding about 130 hostages in Gaza, including 33 presumed dead.
