Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the US of obstructing UN Security Council resolutions aimed at a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Speaking after a discussion with his Egyptian counterpart, Lavrov criticized the US for allegedly blocking measures to halt the violence and dismissed a US-backed resolution as ineffective. Russia abstained from voting on the resolution, claiming US promises were unmet.
Despite a one-week truce in November that led to the release of hostages, efforts to reach a ceasefire have faltered, with both sides accusing each other of making unreasonable demands. Hamas is calling for a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on maintaining a military presence along the Gaza-Egypt border.
