The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and backing a UN agency helping Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban. The votes came after two days of speeches calling for an end to the 14-month war between Israel and Hamas, with over 50 countries supporting the resolutions.
The US vetoed a Security Council resolution on November 20 demanding an immediate Gaza ceasefire, citing concerns about releasing hostages taken by Hamas militants during their attack on Israel. However, the General Assembly’s votes reflect the growing international pressure for a halt to the violence.
Over 158 countries voted in favor of the ceasefire resolution, with only nine against and 13 abstaining. The resolution also backs UNRWA, which provides humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees, despite Israel’s claims that some employees have ties to Hamas.
The US opposed the resolutions, with Deputy UN Ambassador Robert Wood criticizing the Palestinians for not mentioning Hamas’ October attack on Israel in their arguments. However, other countries, including Germany and Italy, voted in favor of the ceasefire resolution for the first time, leaving the US as the only major industrialized nation opposed.
The General Assembly’s resolutions are non-binding, but they reflect world opinion and demonstrate the growing international pressure for a peaceful solution to the conflict. The UN Secretary-General has previously stated that UNRWA is crucial for humanitarian operations in Gaza, and the resolution calls on Israel to respect its international obligations and facilitate the delivery of aid throughout the Gaza Strip.
The resolutions come as tensions remain high in the region, with Hamas militants holding around 100 hostages who were abducted during the October attack. The conflict has killed over 44,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the local Health Ministry, with many more injured or displaced.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/un-gaza-unrwa-palestinians-israel-resolutions-vote-2df5701e79b9678104e60a99b17d2f7a