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Deutsche Welle

The United Nations Security Council has failed to agree on a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. US envoy Alejandro Wolff, who refused to support a draft text put forward by Libya, said there was no point in issuing statements that Hamas would ignore. Wolff added that the actions of Israel could not be compared with those of Hamas, which he described as a terrorist organisation. Egypt's ambassador to the UN, Maged Abdelaziz said it was regrettable that one council member refused to accept any statement at a time when aggression was escalating and more people were dying. France's UN envoy and Security Council president Jean-Maurice Ripert emphasised the need for an immediate and permanent Gaza ceasefire and humanitarian aid.