UNITED NATIONS — In a decisive move, the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly voted to demand an immediate ceasefire in the relentless conflict in Gaza. Alongside this, the resolution called for the release of hostages held by Hamas and insisted on the unobstructed delivery of essential food supplies to the approximately 2 million Palestinians affected by the ongoing turmoil.
The resolution, crafted by Spain, was met with applause as it was passed with a vote of 149 in favor, 12 against, and 19 abstentions from the 193-member assembly. Despite widespread support, the United States, Israel, and a few other nations, including Argentina and Hungary, opposed the resolution. The document firmly condemned the use of starvation as a method of warfare, taking a strong stance against such tactics.
Israel’s U.N. Ambassador, Danny Danon, forcefully criticized the resolution, particularly its lack of condemnation for Hamas’s actions on October 7, 2023, which led to the current Gaza conflict. He refuted accusations of Israel utilizing starvation as a weapon, dismissing these claims as false and asserting that aid is indeed being delivered. Nonetheless, experts and human rights advocates warn of widespread hunger in Gaza, with millions at risk of famine if the blockade is not fully lifted.
The Palestinian U.N. ambassador, Riyad Mansour, urged member nations to support the resolution, emphasizing the urgency of halting the violence and preventing further loss of life among Palestinian children. His appeal came after the U.N. Security Council failed to pass a similar resolution due to a U.S. veto, a result of disagreements over linking the ceasefire to the release of hostages.
General Assembly President Philemon Yang opened Thursday’s meeting by highlighting the dire situation in Gaza and expressing the necessity for the assembly to act given the Security Council’s deadlock, which he described as a failure to uphold international peace and security responsibilities.
While the General Assembly lacks the Security Council’s power to enact legally binding resolutions, its decisions are often viewed as reflective of global sentiment. Following a 10-week blockade impeding aid to Gaza, there is a tentative allowance for U.N. aid deliveries. However, challenges persist, as shown by ongoing violence and logistical restrictions hampering aid distribution.
Similarly to the recent Security Council resolution, the General Assembly’s resolution did not assign blame to Hamas for the initial attack nor call for its disarmament—requirements insisted upon by the U.S. Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea reiterated before the vote that failing to address these points might embolden terrorist organizations.
The resolution cites a directive from the International Court of Justice demanding that Israel expand land crossings into Gaza for relief supplies. It emphasizes Israel’s responsibility as an occupying power to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in dire need.
In acknowledging the deep-rooted conflict, the resolution supports a two-state solution, envisioning the Gaza Strip as part of a future Palestinian state, with further discussions planned for a high-level meeting aimed at advancing peace negotiations. Mediating efforts by countries like Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. seek to reinforce an existing ceasefire agreement, despite Israel’s objections.
The conflict, reignited by the October 7 attack led by Hamas, has tragically claimed lives on both sides, including thousands of Palestinians according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Yet, the lack of distinction between civilian and combatant casualties remains contentious. The ongoing violence underscores the pressing need for an enduring resolution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.