US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield criticized vetoes from Russia and China on the US-proposed draft resolution calling for a ceasefire tied to the release of hostages in Gaza.
Thomas-Greenfield told the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday that Russia and China have not condemned Hamas for its attacks on October 7. She said nearly every council member voted to secure an immediate and sustained ceasefire as part of a deal that would lead to the release of hostages.
UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward also said the United Kingdom is deeply disappointed that Russia and China were unable to support the council.
She said the UK will continue to do everything it can to get aid into Gaza “as quickly as possible by land, sea, and air, but an immediate stop in the fighting is the only way to get aid into Gaza that is so desperately needed and make progress towards a permanent, sustainable ceasefire.”
Photo caption: Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun, right, and Algerian Ambassador to the U.N. Amar Bendjama, center, vote against a United States-sponsored resolution calling for a ceasefire amid the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, during a meeting of the U.N. Security Council at U.N. headquarters in New York City on March 22. Mike Segar/Reuters
