The United States on Wednesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution calling for an "immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza. The draft resolution, supported by 14 Council members, was blocked by the U.S., citing its omission of provisions linking a ceasefire to the release of hostages held by Hamas. Since the outbreak of the current round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the U.S. has exercised its veto on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Security Council six times, five of which were to block resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said, "The veto is a responsibility, not a privilege, and not something that they can use irresponsibly to protect their so-called allies."