US vetoes UN resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire

 The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza conflict between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas. The vote came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres formally warned the council of a global threat from the two-month-long war. The US and Israel oppose a ceasefire, believing it would only benefit Hamas. Instead, Washington supports pauses in fighting to protect civilians and allow the release of hostages taken by Hamas in a deadly attack on Israel. The US favors diplomacy to win the release of more hostages and press Israel to better protect civilians in its assault on Gaza. The vote came after Guterres deployed rarely-used Article 99 of the UN Charter to bring to the council's attention any matter that may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.