The United States on Friday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, diplomatically isolating Washington as it shields its ally.

The resolution, drafted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and backed by more than 100 countries, gained support from 13 of the 15 Security Council members, with Britain abstaining.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, said China is deeply disappointed and regrets that the resolution was vetoed by the United States.

"The draft resolution tabled by the UAE on behalf of the Arab states reflects the universal call of the international community and represents the right direction for the restoration of peace. China fully supports this and has joined in co-sponsoring this draft resolution," Zhang said.

Palestine's ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, told the council that the result of the vote was "disastrous," adding that "millions of Palestinian lives hang in the balance. Every single one of them is sacred, worth saving."

Deputy UAE UN Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab asked the council, "What is the message we are sending Palestinians if we cannot unite behind a call to halt the relentless bombardment of Gaza? Indeed, what is the message we are sending civilians across the world who may find themselves in similar situations?" 

A senior Hamas official said late on Friday in an official statement, saying that the group considers Washington's move "unethical and inhumane."

"The U.S. obstruction of the issuance of a ceasefire resolution is a direct participation with the occupation in killing our people and committing more massacres and ethnic cleansing," Ezzat El-Reshiq, a member of Hamas's political bureau, said.

Britain's UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward told the council that "Israel needs to be able to address the threat posed by Hamas and it needs to do so in a manner that abides by international humanitarian law so that such an attack can never be carried out again."

Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood told the council that the draft resolution was a rushed, imbalanced text "that was divorced from reality," adding that "we do not support this resolution's call for an unsustainable ceasefire that will only plant the seeds for the next war."

The U.S. had offered substantial amendments to the draft, including a condemnation of the October 7 Hamas attacks that Israel says killed 1,200 people and in which 240 people were taken hostage.

Israel's UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan did not address the Security Council after the vote, but in a statement said: "A ceasefire will be possible only with the return of all the hostages and the destruction of Hamas."

Several previous attempts to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire were vetoed.

Israel has bombarded Gaza from the air, imposed a siege and launched a ground offensive. Vast areas of Gaza have been reduced to a wasteland. 

"There is no effective protection of civilians," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the council earlier on Friday, adding that "more than 17,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the start of Israel's military operations, including more than 4,000 women and 7,000 children. Tens of thousands are reported to have been injured, and many are missing, presumably under the rubble."

A seven-day pause – during which Hamas released some hostages and there was an increase in badly needed humanitarian aid to Gaza – ended on December 1. The fighting then resumed.

"Attacks from air, land and sea are intense, continuous and widespread. So far, they have reportedly hit 339 education facilities, 26 hospitals, 56 healthcare facilities, 88 mosques and three churches," the UN chief said.

(With input from agencies)