UNITED NATIONS, United States, March 22, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Russia and China

on Friday vetoed a US-led draft resolution at the Security Council on a
ceasefire in Gaza, with Moscow accusing Washington of a "hypocritical
spectacle" that does not pressure Israel.

The United States, Israel's main ally which has vetoed previous ceasefire
calls, put forward the resolution which for the first time would have
supported "the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire" and
condemned the October 7 attack by Hamas.

Russia and China exercised their vetoes, Algeria also voted against and
Guyana abstained. The other 11 Security Council members voted in favor,
including permanent members France and Britain.

Russia's ambassador, Vasily Nebenzia, said that the United States was doing
nothing to rein in Israel, mocking Washington for speaking of a ceasefire
after "Gaza has been virtually wiped off the face of the Earth."

"We have observed a typical hypocritical spectacle," he said.

"The American product is exceedingly politicized, with the sole purpose being
to play to voters and throw them a bone in the form of some kind of a mention
of a ceasefire in Gaza," he said.

The resolution will "ensure the impunity of Israel, whose crimes are not even
assessed in the draft."

The draft links a ceasefire to ongoing talks, led by Qatar with support from
the United States and Egypt, to halt the war in return for Hamas releasing
hostages.

The US ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, called the Russian and Chinese
vetoes "not just cynical" but also "petty."

"Russia and China simply did not want to vote for a resolution that was
penned by the United States," she said.

"Let's be honest -- for all the fiery rhetoric, we all know that Russia and
China are not doing anything diplomatically to advance a lasting peace or to
meaningfully contribute to the humanitarian response effort," she said.