The US and Israel oppose a ceasefire because they believe it would only benefit Hamas.
“A ceasefire is handing a prize to Hamas, dismissing the hostages held in Gaza, and signalling terror groups everywhere,” Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement.
The vote was called “one of the darkest days in the history of the Middle East”, by Russia’s deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky.
The vote in the 15-member council was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining.
France and Japan were among those supporting the call for a ceasefire.
Instead, Washington supports pauses in fighting to protect civilians and allow the release of hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 attack on Israel.
Supporters called it a terrible day and warned of more civilian deaths and destruction as the war goes into its third month.
“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 the council.
“Indeed, what is the message we are sending civilians across the world who may find themselves in similar situations?”
The Palestinian death toll in Gaza from the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 17,700.
Seventy per cent of them were women and children, according to the Palestinian territory’s Health Ministry.
133 UN agency staffers killed in Israeli bombardment
The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) confirmed the deaths of 133 employees in Gaza due to Israeli attacks.
The UN agency said on X: “The situation of civilians in #Gaza is untenable, we are reaching a point of no return. 133 UNRWA colleagues have been confirmed killed in bombardments, most with their families.” abcnews
Our staff in #Gaza take their children to work so they know they are safe, or can die together.
133 @UNRWA colleagues have been confirmed killed in bombardments, most with their families.
The situation of civilians in #Gaza is untenable, we are reaching a point of no return. pic.twitter.com/IIu5nAcSrB
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) December 9, 2023