China hits out at US veto of Gaza ceasefire resolution
China has expressed "strong disappointment" over the United States blocking a draft United Nations Security Council resolution on the Israel-Hamas war calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The US on Tuesday vetoed for the third time a draft Security Council resolution, blocking a demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire as it instead pushes the 15-member body towards a rival draft that calls for a temporary ceasefire linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas.  Thirteen council members voted in favor of the Algerian-drafted text, while Britain abstained. Washington said the draft resolution could jeopardise "sensitive negotiations" among the US, Egypt, Israel and Qatar aimed at brokering a pause in fighting and securing the release of hostages. Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said opposition to a ceasefire in Gaza is nothing different from giving the green light to the continued slaughter, according to Xinhua News Agency. "The outcome of today's vote clearly shows that on the issue of a ceasefire to halt the fight in Gaza, it is not that the Security Council does not have an overwhelming consensus, but rather it is the exercise of veto by the United States that stifles the council consensus," Zhang said. The US veto sends a wrong message, pushing the situation in Gaza into a more dangerous one, the envoy added. Zhang also said the spillover of the conflict is destabilising the entire Middle East region, leading to rising risks of a wider war. "Only by extinguishing the flames of war in Gaza can the world prevent the fires of hell from engulfing the entire region," Xinhua quoted him as saying. "The veto cannot muffle the strong call for a ceasefire and an end to the war. The Security Council cannot stop its work to uphold justice and fulfil its responsibilities just because of the veto." Beijing urged Israel to heed the call of the international community and abandon its plans for a Rafah offensive. Israel has said it will press ahead with the campaign unless Hamas frees all Israreli hostages by the start of Ramadan next month. (Xinhua/Reuters)