According to the official website, Russia´s alternate representative to the UN Security Council (UNSC), Dmitry Polianski, stressed that “by blocking the call for a cease-fire, our American colleagues imposed a death sentence on tens of thousands of civilians”.

Earlier, the U.S. delegation vetoed a draft resolution submitted by the United Arab Emirates calling for an “immediate humanitarian cease-fire” and an “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages” in the Gaza Strip area.

The resolution was supported by UNSC´s 13 member nations. The United States vetoed and the United Kingdom abstained from voting.

The new spiral of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas has so far caused some 1,200 deaths and close to 5,500 wounded in Israel and over 17,400 deaths and some 46,400 wounded in Gaza, according to the latest official figures.

On December 1, when the humanitarian truce agreed a week ago with the joint mediation of Qatar, Egypt and the US expired, the clashes resumed.

Numerous countries are urging Israel and Hamas to establish a cease-fire; voices are also multiplying in favor of a two-state solution as the only possible way to achieve lasting peace in the region.

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