The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Tuesday that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The resolution, which Algeria had been working on for three weeks, had demanded "an immediate humanitarian ceasefire that must be respected by all parties."

"Proceeding with a vote today was wishful and irresponsible... we cannot support a resolution that would put sensitive negotiations in jeopardy," said Washington's ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, while advocating an alternate resolution drafted by the U.S.