Russia, China tank U.S. United Nations ceasefire resolution

NEW YORK (Gray Media) - Two permanent members of the UN Security Council, Russia and China tanked a U.S. ceasefire resolution Friday as a humanitarian crisis grows in Gaza. The vote failed as U.S. leaders continue ceasefire negotiations in the Middle East to free hostages and bring more aid to the impacted area.

“We want to see a cease fire that will allow these more than 130 hostages who are being held to have them released back to their families. We want to see a cease fire that will allow for the suffering that Palestinians are experiencing right now to end,” said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Thomas-Greenfield said the resolution would support negotiations ongoing in the Middle East between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other leaders to secure lasting peace. The ambassador vetoed a ceasefire resolution put forth by Algeria last month.

“We feel that some of the other resolutions that have been put on the table will have and could have had an impact on the on the negotiations. The only way to get us to a place where we have a sustainable cease fire is through the diplomatic efforts that are taking place on the ground,” said Thomas-Greenfield.

The Chinese delegation criticized the U.S. resolution for being ambiguous and the Russian delegation called it politicized. Both argued it paves the way for Israel to invade Rafah, a civilian heavy-area in Gaza.

“The draft does not clearly and unequivocally state its opposition which would send an utterly wrong signal and lead to severe consequences,” said Zhang Jun, China’s UN ambassador.

While calling for the release of hostages, the resolution also called for an immediate and sustained ceasefire, language the U.S. was hesitant to use until recently.

“Israel is a friend. This resolution is a balanced resolution that provides an opportunity for us to support the diplomatic efforts that are taking place on the ground, get the hostages out and provide humanitarian assistance to civilians,” said Thomas-Greenfield.

11 nations on the security council voted in favor of the resolution with one abstention. The vote showed both the continued widespread support for a ceasefire in Gaza and that consensus around a peace deal remains difficult.

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