Russia, China veto US-led UN resolution on Gaza ceasefire

STORY: The United Nations Security Council on Friday turned down a U.S.-led resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and an Israel-Hamas hostage deal, after Russia and China vetoed the measure…

a move White House spokesman John Kirby said was “hardly a surprise.”

The resolution called for an immediate ceasefire lasting roughly six weeks that would protect civilians and allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Eleven of the 15-member council voted for the resolution.

"The vast majority of this council voted in favor of this resolution, but unfortunately, Russia and China decided to exercise its veto.”

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council that the two nations had “cynical” and “petty” reasons, saying they opposed the resolution simply because it was penned by the U.S. and criticized both countries for not condemning Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the resolution was "exceedingly politicized" and contained an effective green light for Israel to mount a military operation in Rafah…

a city in southern Gaza where more than a million Palestinians have been sheltering in makeshift tents.

Zhang Jun, China’s ambassador, said the U.S. resolution fell short of expectations by only setting preconditions for a ceasefire and echoed Russia’s comments.

The U.S. has wanted any Security Council support for a ceasefire to be linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, vetoing three previous ceasefire resolutions put forward by the council.

Friday was the first time Washington had backed a text with the word "ceasefire" in it, reflecting a toughening of the Biden administration's stance toward Israel.

The council will reconvene on Saturday morning to vote on an alternative resolution drafted by elected members of the Security Council, diplomats said.