What are the objections raised by Russia and China to the US text?

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Russia and China Raised Objections to the US-Proposed UN Security Council Resolution Due to Concerns About its Implications for a Rafah Military Operation and its Politicized Nature

Russia and China vetoed a United States-proposed United Nations Security Council resolution that called for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza. Their primary objections centred on the belief that the US text provided an effective green light for Israel to conduct a military operation in Rafah, a densely populated city in southern Gaza. Russia's ambassador to the UN argued that the resolution was "exceedingly politicized" and could ultimately lead to the destruction, devastation, or expulsion of Gaza's population. China's UN ambassador echoed these concerns, stating that the US text failed to clearly oppose a planned Israeli military operation in Rafah, which he warned could result in severe consequences.
Concerns Over Rafah Military Operation

Both Russia and China expressed significant apprehension regarding the potential ramifications of a full-scale Israeli military operation in Rafah. Russia's UN Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, articulated that the US resolution would "free the hands of Israel," potentially leading to dire outcomes for Gaza and its inhabitants. Similarly, China's UN Ambassador, Zhang Jun, criticized the US proposal for not explicitly condemning the planned Israeli offensive in Rafah, a city currently sheltering over half of Gaza's 2.3 million residents in makeshift conditions.
Allegations of Politicization and Lack of Clear Opposition

Russia's envoy specifically labelled the US-led resolution as "exceedingly politicized." This suggests a perception that the United States was using the resolution for political leverage rather than genuinely seeking a humanitarian solution. China's ambassador's critique focused on the absence of a clear denunciation of the Rafah operation within the US text, implying a lack of commitment from the US to prevent such an escalation.
US Counter-Accusations

In response to the vetoes, the US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, accused Russia and China of acting for "cynical" and "petty" reasons. She suggested their opposition stemmed from the fact that the resolution was proposed by the US and criticized them for not condemning Hamas's October 7 attack. Thomas-Greenfield also contended that Russia and China were not actively contributing to diplomatic efforts for a lasting peace or the humanitarian response, despite their vocal criticisms.

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What are the objections raised by Russia and China to the US text?

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