The United States and Israel faced difficulties in rallying support from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the issue of Hamas, while Russia urged for a broader perspective.

“It’s abnormal that the Security Council doesn’t say anything,” Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun says

The United States expressed disappointment on Sunday as the United Nations Security Council did not achieve unanimous condemnation of the Hamas attack on Israel. This outcome reflects the presence of long-standing unresolved issues, with Russia advocating for a broader perspective on the situation rather than solely denouncing the powerful strike by a Palestinian resistance group.

Vassily Nebenzia, the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, emphasized the need to halt the ongoing hostilities immediately and transition to a ceasefire, followed by meaningful negotiations. He pointed out that this approach aligns with the Security Council’s longstanding message, echoing its call for decades.

“This is partly the result of unresolved issues,” he said.

Numerous members of the UN Security Council denounced Hamas on Sunday over its massive assault on Israel, but the United States expressed regret at the lack of unanimity.

The closed-door session, convened on an emergency basis, urged members to unanimously condemn the Hamas attack, which was launched in response to unabated Israeli brutality and the severe blockade of the Gaza Strip. While deploring the discord within the UN’s permanent 5 members, US diplomat Robert Wood noted, “There are a good number of countries that condemned the Hamas attacks. They’re obviously not all.”

“You could probably figure out one of them without me saying anything,” Wood added, alluding to Russia, whose relations with the West have deteriorated since its special military operation in Ukraine.

No consideration was given to a joint statement, let alone a binding resolution, as members, led by Russia, called for a broader focus beyond condemning Hamas.

Ambassador Zhang Jun remarked, “It’s abnormal that the Security Council doesn’t say anything.”

Israel’s ambassador, Gilad Erdan, displayed graphic images of Israeli civilians being taken captive by Hamas as he entered the session, without acknowledging his own country’s years of brutality against innocent Palestinians. “This unimaginable — unimaginable — atrocity must be condemned,” he said, referring to the Security Council, without mentioning Israel’s role in the suffering of thousands of Palestinian civilians, including women and children.

The Palestinian ambassador, representing the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority and not rival Hamas, called on the Security Council to focus on ending the Israeli occupation.

“Regrettably, history for some media and politicians starts when Israelis are killed,” said the envoy, Riyad Mansour.

“This is not a time to let Israel double down on its terrible choices. This is a time to tell Israel it needs to change course, that there is a path to peace where neither Palestinians nor Israelis are killed,” he emphasized.