This Friday, Russia and China vetoed the resolution proposal presented by the United States before the United Nations Security Council for a ceasefire in Gaza; a proposal that has had the support of eleven members of the highest executive body of the UN, but was finally withdrawn given that Moscow and Beijing are permanent members.

The Russian representative to the Council, Vasili Nebenzia, had denounced minutes before the vote that the United States proposal – which has vetoed up to three previous proposals for the cessation of hostilities – He did not urge a ceasefire forcefully enough. “The United States has tried to sell us a product by using the word ‘imperative’ in its resolution. It does not seem enough to us. We must demand a ceasefire,” he said.

Indeed, the United States proposed resolution called for a “sustained, imperative and immediate ceasefire” given the “urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza“and linked the cessation of hostilities to the release of the Israeli hostages in the hands of the Palestinian militias, as the North American representative, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, pointed out before the vote.

“We want to see a ceasefire as part of an agreement that leads to the release of the hostages that Hamas and other groups have in their hands and that allows the arrival of more humanitarian aid to Gaza,” said the diplomat.

Besides, rejected “any type of forced displacement” of the Palestinian population in the enclave and condemned any initiative by Israel, which he urged to comply with international law, to “reduce the territory of Gaza” or expand its settlements in occupied territory.

The proposal, also cwaved “all acts of terrorism committed by Hamas” and demanded the immediate release of all hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist movement and its related groups.

In addition to the votes against Russia and China as permanent members, Algeria has also expressed its opposition to the measure while Guyana has abstained. The Algerian ambassador, Amar Bendjama, has acknowledged that the United States has introduced “acceptable changes” in this draft for a month now, although he has motivated his refusal in the lack of forcefulness in the language of the final proposal, and in the absence of any mention of Israel’s responsibility for the deaths of Palestinian civilians.