The Palestinian presidency has denounced the US for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution that called for a ceasefire and an end to Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip.
In a press statement released by the official Palestinian news agency WAFA, the presidency said Wednesday the US on its fourth occasion resorted to a veto, urging Israel to continue its "crimes" against the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples while defying international law and legitimacy.
The statement stressed that Palestine's demands to the UN Security Council and the international community are clear: to halt the "aggression," enforce a ceasefire, and address the "crimes" Israel has committed against the defenseless Palestinian people, Xinhua news agency reported.
The statement urged the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to assume its responsibility towards the Palestinian people by acting immediately to end the ongoing "aggression," the humanitarian crisis, and the hunger affecting Gaza.
The Palestinian Authority's state minister for foreign affairs and expatriates, Farsin Shaheen, said the US veto "unjustified, and is a challenge to the will of the international community".
She stated that peace, security, and stability in the region and the world depend on implementing international legitimacy resolutions, ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory, and recognising the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The Hamas movement said in a statement that using the veto proves America is a "direct partner in the aggression," responsible for "killing children and women, destroying civilian life in Gaza".
The statement called on the US to stop this "reckless hostile policy" if it truly seeks to end wars and achieve security and stability in the region, as claimed by the elected administration.
The US on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, drawing harsh criticism from most of the UN members.
The draft, proposed by the council's 10 nonpermanent members, called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
The 15-member council voted 14-1 in support of the resolution and the US exercised its veto power as a permanent council member to veto it.
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