Russia and China have vetoed a cease-fire agreement in Gaza proposed by the United States. The resolution, presented to the United Nations Security Council, aimed to establish an immediate and sustained cease-fire between Hamas and Israel.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, "I think we were trying to show the international community a sense of urgency about getting a cease-fire tied to the release of hostages, something that everyone, including the countries that vetoed the resolution, should have been able to get behind. The resolution, of course, also condemned Hamas. It's unimaginable why countries wouldn't be able to do that." On March 22, Blinken visited Israel to discuss alternative solutions with Israeli officials concerning their ongoing ground assault in Gaza. According to CBS reports, leaders of the European Union called for an unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
In response to a surprise attack launched by Gaza on Israel, over 32,000 Palestinians have been killed. The Health Ministry in Gaza reports that two-thirds of these casualties are children and women. The surprise attack occurred on Oct. 7 during Shemini Atzeret, a Jewish holiday; it resulted in nearly 1,200 Israeli fatalities and over 240 people taken hostage. This led Israel to declare a state of war. As reported by Britannica, more than 350,000 Israeli reservists were summoned as a result. In response to this attack, Israel ordered a complete siege of the Gaza Strip which included cutting off water supply, electricity and fuel from the territory.
Lina Thomas-Greenfield, the US envoy to the UN Security Council believes Russia and China opposed the resolution because they did not want to support clauses condemning Hamas. According to The Guardian's reportage on this matter: elected members of the security council have drafted another resolution but it is expected that the US will veto it on grounds that it does not support negotiations on a deal that would secure the release of Hamas-held hostages in return for the ceasefire.
