The U.S. ambassador said a permanent cease-fire before Hamas is dismantled would sow the seeds of a future conflict. Britain abstained and the 13 other members of the U.N. Security Council voted in favor of an immediate halt in the fighting.The U.S. ambassador said a permanent cease-fire before Hamas is dismantled would sow the seeds of a future conflict. Britain abstained and the 13 other members of the U.N. Security Council voted in favor of an immediate halt in the fighting.