US resolution on Gaza vetoed

Russia pushes for explicit demands while Israel remains determined to send troops into Rafah

UNITED NATIONS/GAZA — Russia and China on Friday vetoed a United States-sponsored UN resolution calling for "an immediate and sustained cease-fire" in the Gaza conflict, while Russia said it was exceedingly politicized and contained an effective green light for Israel to mount a military operation in Rafah.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 11 members in favor, three against and one abstention.

Before the vote, Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow supports an immediate cease-fire, but he questioned the language in the resolution and accused US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of "misleading the international community" for "politicized" reasons.