Britain abstains on UN vote over Gaza ceasefire

Britain abstained on a United Nations resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza on Friday.

Thirteen of the 15-member security council voted in favour, but action was blocked after it was vetoed by the United States, who criticised the vote for failing to condemn Hamas’s bloodshed in Israel.

UK ambassador to the UN Dame Barbara Woodward said Britain backs 'further and longer pauses' to get aid to Palestinians and to allow the release of Israeli hostages, but supported the US in arguing the resolution must 'condemn the atrocities Hamas committed against innocent Israeli civilians'.

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had warned of a 'humanitarian catastrophe' in Gaza as he urged the nations to demand Israel stops the war.

He argued that Gaza is at 'a breaking point', that there is a serious threat of starvation and that there is a risk of 'mass displacement into Egypt'.

Arab diplomats made direct appeals for Joe Biden’s administration to drop its opposition, but the US vetoed the resolution.

Explaining why Britain abstained, Dame Woodward said: "Calling for a ceasefire ignores the fact that Hamas has committed acts of terror and is still holding civilians hostage."

Ziad Issa, head of humanitarian policy at ActionAid UK, said: “It is devastating to see the UK miss this critical opportunity to vote to call for a permanent ceasefire and end the unbearable suffering of 2.3 million people in Gaza.

“With aid operations no longer able to meaningfully function anywhere in the territory and