Russia and China have vetoed the US draft Security Council resolution at the UN headquarters in New York.

The United Nations Security Council has failed to pass a United States draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, after permanent members Russia and China chose to veto it.

The draft put before the Council on Friday received 11 votes in favour, three against and one abstention.

Russia and China both exercised their veto against the resolution, which would have spoken of the “imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire” and condemned the October 7 attack by Hamas.

Moscow accused Washington of a “hypocritical spectacle” that does not pressure Israel.

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

More to follow…