The UN Security Council has once again failed to adopt a resolution to address the deepening crisis in the Middle East.
Two resolutions tabled at the same time – one drafted by Russia and another by the United States – were voted down.
The Russian resolution, which called for a humanitarian ceasefire, received only four positive votes. Nine members of the council abstained. The UK and US, two permanent members with veto power, voted no.
The US-drafted resolution, which called for the release of hostages, humanitarian pauses and included a condemnation of the 7 October Hamas attacks, as well as a recognition of Israel's right to self-defence, was vetoed by Russia and China.
After the votes, council members rounded on each other over their failure to support the other’s resolution.
US envoy to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the US was "deeply disappointed that Russia and China" vetoed the US draft.
She said the US mission had worked "exhaustively" to forge consensus and incorporated the feedback they received from other members.
The US Ambassador accused Russia of "cynical and irresponsible behaviour" by circulating their own draft text at the last minute "with zero consultations and which contains a number of problematic sections".
The Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, called the US draft an "extremely politicised document," which did not contain a call for a ceasefire.
He said the aim was solely to serve the geopolitical interests of one Security Council member.
The Chinese Ambassador, Zhang Jun, said that the US draft failed to address the "indiscriminate and asymmetrical use of force".
So far, four resolutions have failed to win enough votes at the Security Council.
The debate will now move to the UN General Assembly where a draft resolution, proposed by the mission of Jordan is expected to be tabled in the morning.
