The United States on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have called for “humanitarian pauses” to deliver lifesaving aid to millions in Gaza.

The failure by the Security Council to make its first public intervention on the Israel-Gaza crisis followed the rejection of a Russian-backed draft on Monday evening.

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The US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield explained her country’s veto in the Council chamber saying, “This resolution did not mention Israel’s right of self-defence.”

“Israel has the inherent sight of self-defence as reflected in Article 51 of the UN Charter,” she added, noting that the right was reaffirmed by the Council in previous resolutions on terrorist attacks, “this resolution should have done the same.”

While 12 of the Council’s 15 members voted in favour of the resolution, sponsored by Brazil, one (United States) voted against, and two (Russia, and the United Kingdom) abstained.

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Prior to the vote, Russia proposed two amendments for an immediate, durable and full ceasefire, and to stop attacks against civilians. Both proposals were rejected by the Security Council.

Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia said, “the time for diplomatic metaphors is long gone.”

Anyone who did not support Russia’s draft resolution on this issue bears responsibility for what happens, he said.

The current draft “has no clear call for a ceasefire” and “will not help to stop the bloodshed”.

The ambassador said Russia’s amendments proposed a call to end indiscriminate attacks on civilians and infrastructure in Gaza and the condemnation of the imposition of the blockade on the enclave; and adding a new point for a call for a humanitarian ceasefire.

“If these are not included in the current draft, it would not help to address the human situation in Gaza and polarize positions of the international community,” he said.

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The United Kingdom also abstained from voting in the resolution saying that the text needed to be clearer on Israel’s inherent right to self-defence, and because it ignored the fact that “extremist group” Hamas, which controls Gaza, is using Palestinian civilians as human shields.

“They [Hamas] have embedded themselves in civilian communities and made the Palestinian people their victims too,” said UK Ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward.

Despite vetoing the resolution, The US ambassador said Washington will continue to work closely with all Council members on the crisis.

“Yes, resolutions are important, and yes, this Council must speak out. But the actions we take must be informed by the facts on the ground and support direct diplomacy that can save lives,” Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.

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