Russia and China, which hold veto powers in the U.N. Security Council, raised concerns on Thursday with a U.S. draft resolution that would back a proposal — outlined by President Joe Biden — for a cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.
The council's only Arab member, Algeria, also signaled it was not ready to back the text, diplomats said. A resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the U.S., France, Britain, China or Russia to pass.
Biden laid out a three-phase cease-fire plan for the Gaza Strip a week ago that he described as an Israeli initiative.