Russia and China, permanent members of the Security Council, used their veto against a US draft resolution that emphasized the "critical necessity for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire" to protect civilians from all sides and allow for essential humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
Russian UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya stated that the Gaza Strip was "completely destroyed before the United States acknowledged the need for a ceasefire," explaining that the US draft did not call for a ceasefire. He noted that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed, "We have a solution that will be presented in the Security Council, but today’s draft does not reflect that," emphasizing that the US is hypocritical with its draft resolution and is attempting to promote it under the guise of a ceasefire with vague wording.
He pointed out that negotiations involving Americans regarding Gaza were focused solely on delaying actions, and if this resolution were adopted, it would close the discussion on Gaza's status and give Israel free rein there. He noted that "the non-permanent members of the Council prepared another, non-political resolution regarding Gaza."
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the Security Council Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated that the adoption of the current resolution would "force Hamas" to accept a swap deal, adding that the United States is continuously working with Egypt and Qatar to secure an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza. During the voting session, she mentioned that the United States believes a ceasefire agreement is close, but they have not succeeded yet.
The draft resolution supports ongoing international diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire "in connection with the release of all remaining detainees." The resolution reaffirms full support for seizing the opportunity created by any ceasefire to intensify diplomatic efforts and other actions aimed at creating conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities and achieving lasting peace as called for in Resolution 2720.
This marks the ninth time the Security Council has convened to vote on a resolution regarding Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip since October 7, with the council having adopted two resolutions on the situation: Resolution 2712 and Resolution 2720.
