UN Security Council: US and Russia divided over response to Hamas attack on Israel

Numerous UN Security Council members condemned Hamas for its massive attack on Israel, but the United States regrets the lack of unanimity, AFP reported.

At an emergency session held on Sunday, the United States and Israel called for a strong condemnation of the Palestinian militia that governs the blockaded Gaza Strip and launched a surprise attack on Saturday in fighting that claimed more than 1,000 lives.

"There are a large number of countries that have condemned Hamas's attacks. Obviously, not all of them," said US diplomat Robert Wood after the closed-door session.

"You could probably guess one of them without me saying anything," Wood said, clearly alluding to Russia.

Diplomats said the Security Council did not consider any joint statement, let alone a binding resolution, and members led by Russia hope for a broader focus than condemning Hamas.

"My message was to immediately cease hostilities and move towards a ceasefire and meaningful negotiations, which the Security Council has been saying for decades," said Vasily Nebenzia, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations.

"This is partly the result of unresolved issues," he added.

China, generally a Russian ally in the Security Council, said it would support a joint statement.

"It is abnormal for the Security Council to say nothing," said Ambassador Zhang Jun, who had previously pledged China's support for condemning "all attacks on civilians".

At the session, Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan showed photos of Israeli civilians captured by Hamas.

"These are war crimes - obvious, documented war crimes," Erdan said.

"This is an unimaginable, unimaginable atrocity that must be condemned," he told the Security Council.

"Israel must be given strong support to defend itself - to defend the free world," he added.

Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour, who represents the West Bank-based authorities but not the rival Hamas, called on the Security Council to focus on ending the Israeli occupation.

"Unfortunately, the history of some media and politicians begins when Israelis are killed," he said.

"This is not the time to allow Israel to double down on its terrible choices. This is the time to tell Israel that it must change course, that there is a path to peace where neither Palestinians nor Israelis are killed," he added.