Russia and China veto U,S-Gaza Ceasefire resolution

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An update from the UNSC this afternoon

  • Russia and China have vetoed a US draft resolution that tied an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to the release of hostages held by Hamas
  • It was the first time the US has supported calls for an immediate ceasefire in the region, having previously blocked such demands at the UN
  • Netanyahu says Israel plans to launch a ground offensive in Rafah with or without US support, as he meets US secretary of state in Israel
  • Antony Blinken has been in the Middle East to discuss a post-war plan to govern and secure Gaza, as the US grows more critical of Israel’s military campaign
  • A UN-backed food security assessment this week said 1.1 million people in Gaza were struggling with catastrophic hunger and starvation
  • Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking 253 others hostage
  • Hamas says more than 31,900 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its retaliatory offensive to eliminate Hamas
  • France will work on a new UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, President Emmanuel Macron says.

Speaking at the end of an EU leaders summit in Brussels, Macron says France is going to “resume work on the basis of the French draft resolution in the Security Council and work with our American, European and Arab partners to reach an agreement”.

“The Security Council must call for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access”, he added.

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The US vetoed the previous call for a ceasefire, but is this possibly the reason why Russia and China have vetoed the US’ call for ceasefire? Or is there another reason?

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I think it was due to the fact the ceasefire was tied to the hostage release. Therefore a ceasefire couldn’t be reached unless all Israeli hostages were released. China and Russia called this one-sided as they felt that as the ceasefire was temporary it meant that Israel would get all the hostages back and then could continue the conflict against Hamas. France was also critical stating that the operation into Rafah needs to be addressed in a resolution. If Israel were to have a ceasefire and get their hostages back it may give them the green light to continue operations against Hamas after the ceasefire, which would likely cause many civilian casualties.

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Hmm, I see, I hadn’t considered this, thanks for sharing your thoughts

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It’s heartbreaking to hear about the situation there, especially the catastrophic hunger and starvation affecting so many people. Do you think France’s efforts to work on a new UN resolution for a ceasefire will make a difference in resolving the conflict?

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