The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have condemned Hamas' attack on Israel while calling for a pause in the fighting to allow humanitarian assistance into Gaza. The US was the sole vote against the resolution on Wednesday, with 12 members voting in favor and Russia and the United Kingdom abstaining. This veto has sparked criticism of political paralysis within the UN Security Council. The Brazil-drafted resolution aimed to condemn violence against all civilians but failed to underscore Israel's right to self-defense, according to the US. The US has a history of using its Security Council veto power to shield Israel from critical resolutions.

The majority of the council expressed disappointment that they were unable to come together and offer a call for calm and access for humanitarian aid. Tensions in the region have escalated, with protests erupting in various countries after a deadly explosion at a hospital in Gaza on Tuesday. Palestinian authorities claim the explosion resulted from an Israeli air raid, while Israel maintains it was caused by a misfired rocket from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad armed group.

The US has stated that their analysis does not support Israel being responsible for the attack, but Al Jazeera has not been able to independently verify these claims. The vote and escalating tensions have raised concerns that other armed groups in the region may become involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict. UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland warned that the region is on the brink of a dangerous situation that could change the trajectory of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Middle East as a whole. Critics have accused Western countries, particularly the US, of employing a double standard when it comes to potential Israeli violations of international law.

While the US has called for Israel to avoid killing Palestinian civilians, it has offered firm support and limited direct criticism as Israeli air raids devastate Gaza and a siege restricts access to basic necessities for the strip's inhabitants. This recent veto by the US at the Security Council further highlights the ongoing political paralysis and failure to reach agreements on crucial matters within the international body. The Security Council, as the UN's most powerful entity, frequently faces difficulties due to the veto power held by its permanent members.