On Friday, China and Russia vetoed a US-backed draft resolution at the UN Security Council on a ceasefire in Gaza, with Moscow condemning Washington of a “hypocritical spectacle” that does not pressure Israel.
Russia and China, who are permanent members both exercised their veto against the resolution, which would have spoken of the “imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire” and condemned the October 7 attack by Hamas.
Russia’s ambassador to the U.N. Vassily Nebenzia said it was very politicised and contained an effective green light for Israel to push for a military operation in Rafah.
The vote came as the U.S. is increasingly pressuring its ally over the situation in Gaza, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Israel on Friday for fraught talks likely focused on humanitarian response and Israel’s insistence on a ground assault on the congested city of Rafah.
Over two million Palestinians are threatened with famine due to Israel’s siege. A ceasefire is imperative for the protection of civilians and the expansion of aid being distributed to the more than
Previous drafts would have supported international efforts for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal, but the resolution had no direct link to the release of those taken captive during Hamas’ surprise Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. However, “toward that end” it would unequivocally support diplomatic efforts “to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages.”
Ahead of the vote by the 15 Security Council members, Nate Evans, the spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the U.N., said in a statement that the U.S. had been “working in earnest with Council members over the last several weeks on a resolution that will unequivocally support ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as part of a hostage deal.”
Israel says 130 hostages remain in Gaza, although 34 have died in captivity.