Russia and China Torpedo U.S. Call at U.N. for Immediate Gaza Ceasefire
Russia and China on Friday blocked a U.S.-backed United Nations Security Council resolution calling for “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
Eleven members of the council voted in favor of the resolution, which the U.S. hoped would allow for more aid to enter the enclave and save the lives of civilians. Russia and China—permanent council members with veto powers—were joined by Algeria in opposing the measure, while Guayana abstained.
The proposal’s defeat comes after the U.S. previously stood alone in vetoing three earlier proposed resolutions similarly calling for a ceasefire. The most recent attempt, in February, was blocked by the U.S. on the grounds that it could interfere with sensitive negotiations to release hostages being held by Hamas. Britain abstained in that vote as it had done in the earlier two votes in which Washington, D.C. exercised its veto.