U.S Vetoes U.N Gaza Resolution

The United States has used its power of veto to block a United Nations resolution aimed at ending Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution designed to end the Israeli offensive on Gaza. The resolution called for an immediate end to the bombardment by Israel of the besieged Gaza Strip, home to 1.5 million Palestinians. The aerial assault has pummeled the Hamas-governed territory for two consecutive days causing heavy casualties and extensive damage. Israel says it is in response to rocket attacks on its bordering towns and has called up 6500 Army reserves fanning fears a massive ground assault may follow. Reuters is now reporting fighting has continued into its third day estimating the the death toll from the air raids to be at 307. This is the 40th time since 1972 that the United States has come to the aid of its ally, Israel, and used its veto power to kill a binding UNSC resolution critical of it. It is also the 5th time since 2004 the U.S has prevented the passing of resolutions aimed at ending Israeli Gaza offensives. US Ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, defended the Israeli move, using as justification a now common reiteration "Israel has the right to defend itself"."I regret the loss of any of all innocent life," he said, adding that Hamas rockets precipitated this situation. The UNSC was forced to settle for a non-binding statement which was read out by the Ambassador from Croatia that

"called for an immediate halt to all violence" and on the parties "to stop immediately all military activities."