Gaza Ceasefire Talks Stall as Russia Accuses US of Impeding Progress

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has made a scathing accusation against the United States, claiming that it is deliberately obstructing efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Lavrov made the statement after speaking with his Egyptian counterpart on Monday, citing Russia’s willingness to support any steps that would put an end to the ongoing bloodshed.

According to Lavrov, the US-sponsored resolution endorsing a ceasefire plan is nothing more than an “empty piece of paper.” Russia abstained from the vote on the resolution, with Lavrov stating that “no promises of the United States were fulfilled.” This latest development comes as attempts to secure a ceasefire have repeatedly stalled, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of making unreasonable demands.

The most recent truce between the two sides was secured in November, resulting in the release of scores of hostages held by Hamas. However, since then, negotiations have been ongoing but have yet to yield a lasting agreement. Hamas has been pushing for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stood firm in his stance that troops must remain on the Philadelphi corridor, which separates Gaza from Egypt.

The impasse has led to continued violence in the region, with no end in sight. Russia’s accusation against the US has added a new layer of complexity to the already fraught situation, as it is unclear what steps, if any, the US will take to address Russia’s concerns. As the situation remains deadlocked, the people of Gaza and Israel continue to suffer the consequences of the ongoing conflict.