Ramallah, December 9 (RHC)-- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday said the U.S. was responsible for the "bloodshed" of civilians in the Gaza Strip, a day after the United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

According to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA, Abbas condemned Washington's veto, calling the American position "unethical" and "a blatant violation of all human values and principles."   According to WAFA, Abbas held the United States "responsible for the bloodshed of Palestinian children, women, and elderly in the Gaza Strip."

Abbas said the U.S. was complicit in what he said were "war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Jerusalem," according to WAFA, urging the international community to search for solutions, "before this dangerous crisis turns into a religious war that threatens the world as a whole."

The resolution, which was vetoed by the United States, called for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” as well as “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”