Overview

• The United States was the lone holdout as the other 14 Security Council members supported a draft demanding an immediate, permanent cease-fire and the release of hostages.
• The text, authored by the Council’s elected members, described Gaza’s humanitarian situation as catastrophic and urged Israel to lift restrictions on aid deliveries.
• Washington said the draft failed to sufficiently condemn Hamas or affirm Israel’s right to self-defense, with U.S. adviser Morgan Ortagus calling the language unacceptable.
• Russia condemned the Council’s paralysis attributed to repeated U.S. vetoes, reiterating it denounces Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack but rejects collective punishment of Palestinian civilians.
• China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi pressed for an immediate comprehensive cease-fire, a two-state outcome, and Palestinian self-governance, while diplomats signaled Gaza will dominate the coming General Assembly agenda.