Though Russia and China refused the American-sponsored cease-fire
A resolution that the United States had brought to the UN Security Council calling for a “immediate and permanent ceasefire” in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip in order to protect civilians and provide humanitarian relief was rejected by China and Russia on Friday.
Eleven of the fifteen member states of the council voted in support of the American plan, three opposed it, and one nation abstained.
In order to alleviate suffering and offer humanitarian aid, the now-rejected resolution demands an immediate cease-fire of at least six weeks and its observance by both warring sides. Linda Thomas-Greenfield rationalized the United States’ veto of Algeria’s resolution proposal in February, which also called for a ceasefire, by stating that it would have compromised the “sensitive” negotiations that were ongoing at the time.
Vasiliy Nebenzja, Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, said prior to the vote that his country supports an immediate cease-fire, but he also said that the US proposal is only “half-hearted” and does not explicitly call for a cease-fire, essentially giving Israel the go-ahead for its planned Rafah offensive and giving Hamas a reason to pull out of the agreement.
