Israel-Hamas conflict hurtles into its second week as cease-fire talks struggle

“The question is: Will any given action, or any given statement, as a practical matter, end the violence?” he said. “If we think there’s something, including at the United Nations, that would advance that, we’d be for it.” For days, the United States, a staunch protector of Israel at the United Nations, has blocked efforts by China, Tunisia and Norway to move the Security Council to make a statement, including a call for a cessation of hostilities.