The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The US cast the sole vote against the resolution, with the other 14 members voting in favor. The US said it vetoed the resolution because it did not make the cease-fire contingent on the release of hostages in Gaza. The impasse at the UN contrasts with cease-fire talks in Lebanon, where a top US envoy said there had been 'additional progress' in efforts to halt the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.