The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urging countries to take “all measures necessary” to pressure Israel.
After the United States vetoed a similar initiative in the Security Council last week, the General Assembly adopted the non-binding resolution with a vote tally of 149 in favor, 12 against, and 19 abstentions.
The resolution demands “an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza and calls for “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages” taken during the unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which ignited the ongoing conflict.
Moreover, it goes further than the US-vetoed document by directly addressing Israel regarding its obstruction of aid deliveries to Gaza.
It also urges all UN member states to “individually and collectively take all measures necessary, in accordance with international law… to ensure compliance by Israel with its obligations.”
Israel’s envoy Danny Danon criticized the resolution before the vote, labeling it “a farce, a moral failure, and a political stunt.”
Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour, in contrast, urged all nations to turn their votes “into resolute action.”
“No arms, no money, no trade to oppress Palestinians,” he implored.
US urges nations to avoid participating in discussions about a two-state solution.
A United Nations conference, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, aimed at creating a roadmap for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians, has been postponed following Israel’s attack on Iran, according to two sources.
Previously, Ireland received a diplomatic communication from the US advising it against participating in the upcoming UN conference discussing a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.
This démarche has reportedly been sent to all countries attending the conference.
Nonetheless, Tánaiste Simon Harris stated that Ireland will still take part in the conference on a two-state solution in the Middle East despite the US cable.
‘Accountability’
Israel faces increasing pressure to facilitate more humanitarian aid into Gaza, where the entire population is at risk of famine, according to the UN.
The recently adopted resolution “strongly condemns any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access.”
The final vote tally has been displayed on a screen after the UN General Assembly’s resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza was adopted.
Israel recently lifted a total blockade to allow some aid deliveries to resume through the newly established, US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution centers.
However, the United Nations, which has sought to organize aid deliveries throughout Gaza until now, refuses to collaborate with the GHF due to concerns regarding its practices and neutrality.
Dozens of people have died near GHF distribution points since late May, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency, which reported that Israeli forces killed another 21 individuals waiting for aid yesterday.
Meanwhile, GHF attributed the deaths of at least eight of its staff in Gaza late Wednesday to the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Palestinian UN Ambassador calls for an end to Israel’s ‘mad march.’
In light of the lack of action from the Security Council, Mr. Mansour had called last week for all nations to implement “immediate and real measures” to compel Israel “to stop its mad march.”
With the vote occurring just days before an international conference at the UN focusing on the Palestinian situation, the text reiterates the assembly’s “unwavering commitment to the two-state solution… where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, coexist peacefully and securely.”
Read more: Egypt deports numerous foreign nationals due to attend Gaza march. Thunberg returns to Sweden after deportation from Israel.
A UN General Assembly resolution in 1947 divided British-ruled Palestine into two states—one Arab and one Jewish.
However, only the establishment of Israel was proclaimed on May 14, 1948, which ignited a conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
Over the years, the UN has consistently expressed strong support for the Palestinians in light of the continuing Israeli occupation.
In the meantime, Israel has continuously relied on robust support from its veto-holding US ally, a relationship that has deepened further under President Donald Trump.
The resolution “does nothing to free the hostages, better the lives of civilians in Gaza, or bring us closer to a ceasefire,” stated US Acting Ambassador Dorothy Shea to the assembly.
She further asserted that this was “yet another performative action that undermines the credibility of this body.”
