The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, indicating strong global support for ending the Israel-Hamas war. The resolution called for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire," along with the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and ensuring humanitarian access.
Of the 193-member U.N. General Assembly, 53 countries, including India voted in favor and 23 abstained. The U.S. and Israel, asserted that a ceasefire only benefits Hamas, and voted against the measure, along with eight other countries.
Today, the #UNGA Emergency Special Session adopted resolution ES-10/22 demanding:
— UN GA President (@UN_PGA) December 13, 2023
➡️ Immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
➡️ All parties comply with their obligations under international law.
➡️ Unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access. pic.twitter.com/IiBjS5g5Uf
The resolution reiterated the General Assembly's demand that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians. Two amendments making specific reference to the extremist group Hamas were voted down by members before the resolution.
Following the United States' veto of a resolution in the Security Council on December 8, which called for a humanitarian ceasefire, Arab and Islamic nations called for an emergency session of the 193-member General Assembly to vote on a resolution making the same demand.
The adopted resolution expresses deep concern about the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population. It emphasizes the need to protect both the Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations in accordance with international humanitarian law.
It makes the following key demands: an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, compliance by all parties with their obligations under international law, including the protection of civilians, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and ensuring humanitarian access.
Israel’s Permanent Representative, Gilad Erdan, said that the General Assembly finds itself “about to vote on another hypocritical resolution.” “Not only does this resolution fail to condemn Hamas for crimes against humanity, it does not mention Hamas at all. This will only prolong the death and destruction in the region, that is precisely what a ceasefire means,” he said.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, while introducing the US amendment, expressed dissatisfaction, stating that it was another resolution that did not condemn Hamas. “Our goal must be to stop the death the devastation and the destruction for the long-term and that is simply not a future Hamas wants to see”, she said.
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