Russia and China veto U.S. ceasefire resolution in UN Security Council
Russia called the resolution put forward by Washington a 'hypocritical spectacle' which failed to pressure Israel.
Russia and China vetoed a U.S. resolution in the United Nations Security Council on Friday, calling for an “immediate ceasefire” and all hostages to be released from Gaza
Russia called the resolution put forward by Washington a “hypocritical spectacle” which failed to pressure Israel.
Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia accused the U.S. of “deliberately misleading the international community.”
The ceasefire resolution called on increasing aid to Gaza and for a “lasting peace.” Washington has vetoed three ceasefire resolutions in the security council since October 7, arguing every time that they jeopardised ongoing talks between Hamas and Israel.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Friday where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the war cabinet. Blinken
Netanyahu said he told Blinken that he “deeply appreciate the fact that for more than five months, we have stood together in the war against Hamas. I told him that we recognise the need to evacuate the civilian population for the war zone and of course to take care of humanitarian needs, and we are working on that.”
“But I also told him that we don’t have a way to defeat Hamas without going into Rafah, and eliminating the remaining battalions there. And I told him that I hope that we will do it with America’s support, but if we need, we will do it alone.”
The issue of Israel’s planned ground offensive in Rafah brought Jerusalem and Washington on collision course this week, with President Biden asking Netanyahu to send a team to the U.S. to discuss alternatives.
Netanyahu has insisted that an operation in Rafah is necessary to defeat Hamas. Meanwhile, Australia and the UK issued a joint statement on Friday, warning about such an operation.
“Given the large number of displaced persons taking refuge in the area and lack of safe spaces in Gaza, ministers shared deep concern at the potentially devastating consequences for the civilian population of an expanded Israeli military operation in Rafah,” they said.
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