UNITED NATIONS: The United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Wednesday (Oct 18) that would have called for humanitarian pauses in the conflict between Israel an
A general view during the voting process at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the conflict between Israel and Hamas at UN headquarters in New York, US, Oct 16, 2023. UNITED NATIONS: The United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Wednesday that would have called for humanitarian pauses in theThe vote on the Brazilian-drafted text was twice delayed in the past couple of days as the United States tries to broker aid access to Gaza.
"Yes, resolutions are important. And yes, this council must speak out. But the actions we take must be informed by the facts on the ground and support direct diplomacy efforts. That can save lives. The council needs to get this right," she said."We have just been witnesses once again of hypocrisy and the double standards of our American colleagues," said Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia.
"We're working with Israel, its neighbours, the United Nations and other partners to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It is critical that food, medicine, water and fuel begin flowing into Gaza as soon as possible," she said."Let’s be clear: Hamas’ own actions have brought this on – this severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza."
Israel last week ordered some 1.1 million people in Gaza - almost half the population - to move south as it prepares for a ground offensive in retaliation for the worst Hamas attack on civilians in Israel's 75-year-old history.