Russia and China vetoed a US-backed draft resolution on Friday at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on a ceasefire in Gaza the Strip, with Moscow accusing Washington of a "hypocritical spectacle" that does not pressure “Israel” to end its aggression against the Strip - as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

 

Russia and China both exercised their veto against the resolution, which would have spoken of the "imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire" and condemned the Oct. 7 “Operation Aqsa Typhoon” carried out by Al-Qassam Brigades.

 

The draft resolution put forward by the US notes the need for an "immediate" ceasefire that would allow more aid into the Strip.

 

Washington announced earlier it would submit for a vote on Friday its draft on the necessity of an "immediate ceasefire as part of a hostage deal,” after using its veto power to block earlier ceasefire resolutions - the latest one being on February 20 when it blocked the Algerian-proposed and Arab-backed resolution calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”

 

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The latest version of the US draft Security Council resolution, seen by AFP, notes the need for "an immediate and sustained ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides, allow for the delivery of essential humanitarian assistance, and alleviate humanitarian suffering".

 

The US supports the "diplomatic efforts to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages,” according to the draft.

 

However, it does not explicitly use the word "call", instead simply stating that a ceasefire is imperative.

 

Russia said the formulation was too weak and China said it supported "meaningful actions" by the UNSC without declaring its support for the resolution.