Dueling Russia and US resolutions on Israel-Hamas war fail to advance in UN
Dueling resolutions from Russia calling for a ceasefire and a U.S. version emphasizing Israel's right to defend itself both fail at the United Nations. Dueling resolutions on the Israel-Hamas war put forth to the U.N. Security Council by Russia and the U.S. both failed on Wednesday, illustrating the chamber's deadlock on the conflict. Russia's version called for a humanitarian ceasefire and avoided condemning Hamas, which launched a terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and spurred the war. The Russian measure didn't secure the votes needed to advance, with Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates and Gabon voting in favor of the draft, nine members abstaining and both the U.S. and the U.K. voting against it. While the U.S. has emphasized Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas, officials also worked to find a middle ground that would placate a majority of members, urging a pause to military action in Gaza, the Palestinian territory next to Israel that Hamas contr...