U.S. blocks UN Gaza ceasefire appeal | 8 Dec 2023 | The U.S. has cast the lone dissenting vote against a proposed UN Security Council resolution that would have demanded a humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war amid rising civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip. Thirteen member states voted in favor of the resolution, which was put forward by the United Arab Emirates, on Friday in New York. The UK abstained, leaving Washington diplomatically isolated in blocking the measure. "What is the message we are sending Palestinians if we cannot unite behind a call to halt the relentless bombardment of Gaza?" Deputy UAE UN Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab asked members of the council... Friday's vote came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99, a rarely used provision in the UN charter, to warn the Security Council of an impending "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza.