The recent US veto of a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza has sparked widespread condemnation from the international community. China's ambassador to the UN, Fu Cong, stated that Israel's military operations in Gaza have "crossed every red line" of international humanitarian law.
Britain's Ambassador Barbara Woodward echoed these sentiments, condemning Israel's actions as "unjustifiable, disproportionate and counterproductive". The vote comes after 27 people were killed in southern Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire near a US-backed aid centre, prompting UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to condemn the incident as "unacceptable".
The resolution called for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, as well as the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza. The US veto has been widely criticized by other council members, who accuse the US of providing Israel with impunity.
The UN has rejected a new system for delivering aid to Gaza introduced by an Israeli-US backed foundation, further highlighting the tensions between the international community and the US over its stance on the conflict.