Russia and China VETO U.S. resolution in the UN calling for an 'immediate' Gaza ceasefire and the release of all hostages

Russia and China have vetoed a U.S. draft resolution in the United Nations calling for an 'immediate and sustained' ceasefire in Gaza.

The resolution called for an 'imperative' halt in hostilities for roughly six weeks to protect civilians and allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. 

The vote came down as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken his troops were going to launch a ground offensive in Rafah in a huge snub to President Joe Biden.

Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, said it was exceedingly politicized and contained an effective green light for Israel to mount a military operation in Rafah. 

Eleven nations voted for the U.S.-backed resolution, which declared 'the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire.'

Russia and China have vetoed a U.S. draft resolution in the United Nations calling for an 'immediate and sustained' ceasefire in Gaza. Antony Blinken landed in Israel on Friday as the UN prepares to vote on a US ceasefire proposal today

The vote came amid deteriorating conditions inside Gaza, where local officials say more than 30,000 people have been killed since Israel launched its war on Hamas following the October 7 attack inside Israel.

During three earlier UN votes demanding an end to the fighting, it was the U.S. exercising its veto through its permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Friday amid ongoing talks to try to negotiate a temporary cease fire.

But they were quickly upended when Netanyahu vowed to carry on with the assault on Rafah to 'finish Hamas'.

'Today, I met with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. I conveyed my deep appreciation for our joint effort in combating Hamas for over five months,' Netanyahu said.

'I emphasized our commitment to evacuating civilians from conflict zones and addressing humanitarian needs. However, I underscored the necessity of entering the Strip and neutralizing the remaining militias to defeat Hamas,' he added.

'While I expressed hope for U.S. support, I made it clear that if necessary, we would proceed independently.'

He met with Arab diplomats in Cairo, where he said an Israeli assault on Rafah, where more than a million people have gathered inside Gaza, would be a 'mistake.' He is also calling for a surge in humanitarian assistance.

He is meeting with Prime Miniter Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet amid tensions with the Biden administration. Netanyahu called in to a Senate luncheon meeting this week of Republican senators, but Senate Democrats didn't invite him following Minority Leader Charles Schumer's floor speech calling for new elections in Israel and saying Netanyahu had 'lost his way.'

Palestinians rush for cover as smoke billows after Israeli bombardment in central Gaza City on March 18, 2024, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that he is determined to send troops into the southern Gaza city of Rafah and would do so without U.S. support. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Tel Aviv, Israel

The resolution failed after China and Russia vetoed it

United States Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks after a vote for a resolution on a ceasefire in Gaza

There are concerns about growing hunger inside Gaza. Children play amid damaged buildings around the mosque the rubble of Al-Farooq Mosque which was destroyed in the Israeli attack in Rafah, Gaza on March 22, 2024

'Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah,' Schumer said, in a speech President Biden called 'good.'

The talks are aiming to establish a pause in the fighting and the return of an estimated 200 hostages seized by Hamas during the October 7 attack, with negotiations focusing on Palestinian prisoners held inside Israel. 

Amid reports of widespread hunger and even famine amid continued attacks and struggles to organize aid distribution, European Leaders issued a statement calling 'for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance.'

The latest language in the resolution reflects growing concerns within the administration and abroad about the situation in Gaza.

A prior version circulated last month called for a cease fire 'as soon as practicable,' and President Biden and top security aides have defended Israel's right to defend itself by striking back at Hamas.

With the defeat of the U.S. backed resolution, France is stepping in to try to restart efforts.

'Following Russia's and China's veto a few minutes ago, we are 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,' French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday.

There is also a domestic political component, amid concerns Israel's war in Gaza could run through the summer in a U.S. election year if Netanyahu goes ahead with plans for an operation in Rafah.

A new CNN poll released Friday showed Biden down eight points to predecessor Donald Trump in battleground Michigan, which is home to the nation's largest Islamic population. 

Netanyahu said after meeting with Blinken Friday the Israel would proceed with its operation in Rafah even without U.S. support.

'I emphasized our commitment to evacuating civilians from conflict zones and addressing humanitarian needs. However, I underscored the necessity of entering the Strip and neutralizing the remaining militias to defeat Hamas,' Netanyahu said.

'While I expressed hope for U.S. support, I made it clear that if necessary, we would proceed independently,' added. 

Speaking to reporters in Israel outside his government aircraft, Blinken pointed to strong support for the resolution, which he said was 'cynically vetoed by Russia and China.'

'I think we were trying to show the international community a sense of urgency about getting a ceasefire tied to the release of the hostages, something that everyone, including the countries that vetoed the resolution, should have been able to get behind.