UN Security Council Fails to Adopt Resolution to Cease Fighting in Gaza

The UN Security Council has once again failed to adopt a resolution to cease the fighting in Gaza, as the war between the Israeli army and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza enters its thirty-first day. "There is no agreement at this stage," said U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood, according to CNN. A group of ten non-permanent members of the Security Council had proposed a resolution, but it was rejected by the United States and the United Kingdom, both permanent members with veto power. Western powers, especially Washington and London, oppose including phrases in the resolution that call for an immediate ceasefire. Wood stated, "There were discussions about humanitarian pauses, and we are interested in continuing to talk about this." He added, "There were disagreements within the Security Council regarding whether this (immediate ceasefire) would be acceptable."