US resolution on Gaza war cannot 'pass the barrier' of Russia and China

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) today, March 22, failed to pass a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, after Russia and China used their veto power, Algeria voted against and Guyana abstained, AFP reported.

The remaining 11 members of the UN Security Council voted in favor, including permanent members France and Britain.

The resolution, proposed by the US, calls for an immediate six-week ceasefire to protect civilians and allow for humanitarian assistance, marking a further hardening of the US stance towards its ally Israel.

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"The vast majority of council members voted in favor of this resolution, but unfortunately Russia and China decided to use their veto," US special envoy to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council.

Before the vote, she said it would be a "historic mistake" if the council did not pass the resolution.

The UN Security Council meeting took place on March 22.

Meanwhile, speaking at the vote, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia urged members not to support the resolution, saying it was "extremely politicized " and gave Israel a green light to launch a military operation in Rafah city in southern Gaza.

Rafah is home to more than half of the 2.3 million Palestinians who have fled Israeli attacks in northern Gaza.

“That would free the hands of Israel and would result in the entire Gaza Strip and all its people facing destruction, devastation or expulsion,” Nebenzia said.

According to the Russian diplomat , some non-permanent members of the Security Council have drafted an alternative resolution, which he called a "balanced" text. The content of the new proposal is not yet clear, but Mr. Nebenzia said there is "no reason" for members not to support it.

Beijing also supported the alternative resolution. China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said the US-proposed text was unbalanced. According to him, Washington did not expressly oppose any Israeli military operations in Rafah, which he said could lead to serious consequences, Reuters reported.

"If the US was serious about the ceasefire," Mr. Truong said, "they would not have vetoed many previous Security Council resolutions."

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on March 21 that he believed talks in Qatar, which focused on a six-week ceasefire and the release of 40 Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinians, could still reach an agreement.

The United States has traditionally defended Israel at the UN. However, Washington has also abstained twice, allowing the council to pass resolutions on increased aid and calls for an extended ceasefire.

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