Hamas hails Russia, China for vetoing US resolution linking Gaza cease-fire to hostage release

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) - A Palestinian Hamas group on Friday praised Russia, China, and Algeria for voting against a US-proposed UN Security Council resolution that tried to link a cease-fire in Gaza to the release of Israeli captives from Gaza.

"We appreciate the stance of Russia, China, and Algeria, who rejected the US draft resolution that is biased to the (Israeli) aggression on our (Palestinian) people," Hamas said in a statement.

Hamas said the US resolution used "misleading wording" and was complicit with Israeli goals to continue its aggression on Gaza, and tried to give Israel "cover and legitimacy to the genocidal war against our Palestinian people in Gaza."

The US-sponsored resolution was vetoed by Russia and China. Algeria also voted "no," while Guyana abstained, and the remaining 11 Security Council members voted in favor.

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack led by Hamas in which some 1,200 Israelis were killed.

Over 32,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, and more than 74,000 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of most food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide, and guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.