Russia, China veto US document on Israel-Hamas war

Russia and China vetoed a US-drafted Security Council resolution on the Gaza conflict, saying it did not call for a full ceasefire.

The draft resolution, submitted by the United States and put to a vote at the United Nations Security Council on October 25, calls on all parties to temporarily halt fighting to ensure relief efforts, protect civilians, and stop supplying weapons to Hamas and other armed groups in the Gaza Strip. The document does not require Israel and Hamas to completely end the current conflict.

This draft is significantly adjusted compared to the preliminary version that shocked many diplomats at the United Nations (UN), in which the US affirmed Israel's right to self-defense, asked Iran to stop transferring weapons to armed groups in the Gaza Strip and did not include a call for a ceasefire to deliver aid to the region.

Ten of the 15 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution, with Brazil and Mozambique abstaining, and Russia, China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) voting against it. Since Russia and China are permanent members of the Security Council, their votes against were considered vetoes, preventing the draft resolution from being adopted.

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia during a vote at the Security Council on October 25. Photo: Reuters — Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia during a vote at the Security Council on October 25. Photo: *Reuters*

To be adopted, the draft resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from any of the five permanent members - the US, UK, France, China and Russia. Proposing a draft resolution on the Gaza conflict is considered a rare move by the US, as it has a tradition of supporting its ally Israel against any Security Council action deemed unfavorable to Tel Aviv.

"We have heard you. Today's developments are a setback, but we will not be discouraged," US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed disappointment in a statement after the vote.

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia accused the US of drafting the resolution to facilitate Israel's ground operation against the Gaza Strip. "It is clear that the US does not want the Security Council's decision to affect the offensive being prepared by Israel. This document has only one purpose, not to save civilians but to strengthen the US political position in the region," he said.

China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said the US draft resolution did not reflect the world's "strongest calls for a ceasefire." "At this moment, 'ceasefire' is not just a diplomatic term. It is a matter of life and death for many civilians," he said.

The Security Council then voted on a Russian-drafted resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and for Israel to withdraw its order for Gaza residents to evacuate south. The resolution received only four votes in favor and was not adopted.

Malta's UN Ambassador Vanessa Frazier said the Security Council is planning to draw up a new draft resolution on the conflict.

Vu Anh (According to Reuters )

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