UN SPEECHLESS: US blocks approval for statement

The United States blocked approval of a UN Security Council statement calling for an immediate Israeli-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza and Israel and expressing serious concern at the escalation of violence.

US deputy ambassador Alejandro Wolff said the United States saw no prospect of Hamas abiding by last week’s council call for an immediate end to the violence.

Therefore, he said, a new statement at this time “would not be adhered to and would have no underpinning for success, would not do credit to the council”.