NEW YORK: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) overwhelmingly voted in favour of two resolutions related to the ongoing siege of the Gaza by Israel.
The first resolution demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire. It received 158 votes in favour from the 193-member assembly.
While nine countries voted against the resolution and 13 abstained.
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The second resolution expressed support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
It also condemned a new Israeli law aimed at banning the agency’s operations in Israel, which was adopted with 159 votes in favour, nine again and 11 abstentions.
The resolutions were passed following two days of speeches at the UN, where numerous representatives called for an end to the siege in Gaza.
The occupying forces have killed at least 44,805 Palestinians, along them over 15,000 children.
Slovenia’s UN Ambassador, Samuel Zbogar, described the dire situation in Gaza. “Gaza doesn’t exist anymore. It is destroyed. Civilians are facing hunger, despair and death”.
Similarly, Algeria’s deputy UN ambassador remarked on the global failure to halt the siege. “The price of silence and failure in the face of the Palestinian tragedy is a very heavy price, and it will be heavier tomorrow”.
The resolutions send a clear message regarding the need to protect UNWRA and its mandate, as well as the overwhelming global call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
However, the United States, Israel and seven other countries voted against the ceasefire resolution.
US Deputy Ambassador reiterated Washington’s opposition, criticising the Palestinian leadership for not addressing Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Meanwhile, Israel’s UN ambassador accused the supporters of the resolution of complicity with Hamas. He argued that demanding a ceasefire without addressing the issue of hostages undermined the situation.
While the UNGA resolutions are non-binding, they reflect the global opinion on the inhumane genocide, as declared by the Amnesty International.
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The Palestinians and those supporting their just cause sought the UNGA’s intervention after the US vetoed a Security Council resolutions demanding a ceasefire on November 30.
The language of the adopted ceasefire resolution mirrors that of the vectoed UNSC resolution, reiterating the demand for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and the release of all hostages.