UN General Assembly Demands Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza
The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution, introduced by Egypt, received 158 votes in favor from the 193-member body, with nine countries voting against it and 13 abstaining.
This decisive call comes amidst intensifying global concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The resolution emphasized the need for a permanent cessation of hostilities as the only viable measure to protect innocent civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid.
Global Stance on the Resolution
While General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, they hold significant political weight, reflecting the international community’s stance on the ongoing conflict. Osama Abdelkhalek, Egypt’s ambassador to the UN, highlighted the urgency of the resolution, describing it as “the only guarantee for saving innocent civilians.” He condemned the “despicable double standards” surrounding the Palestinian issue and criticized the opposition’s justification based on Israel’s right to self-defense.
Countries opposing the resolution included the United States, Israel, Austria, and Guatemala, among others, citing concerns that a ceasefire could bolster Hamas. Gilad Erdan, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, argued that halting military operations would hinder efforts to neutralize Hamas’s threat. Thirteen countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy, abstained from the vote, reflecting divisions over how to address the crisis.
In a notable shift, nations such as Canada, Australia, and Japan, which had previously abstained on similar votes, supported the resolution. South Asian countries like India and South Korea also joined the majority, marking a growing global consensus on the need for immediate intervention in Gaza.
Second Resolution Supports UNRWA
In addition to the ceasefire resolution, the Assembly passed a second resolution with 159 votes in favor, expressing support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). This resolution condemned a controversial Israeli law set to ban UNRWA’s operations in Israel from January 2025 and urged Israel to uphold its international obligations. The resolution called for “full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian assistance” across Gaza.
The United States and Israel, along with seven other countries, opposed this resolution, while 11 nations abstained. Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, criticized both resolutions for “rewarding Hamas” and failing to address key issues such as the release of hostages and effective delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The votes followed two days of impassioned speeches from diplomats and representatives, many of whom urged an end to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Slovenia’s UN Ambassador, Samuel Žbogar, painted a dire picture of the situation, stating, “Gaza doesn’t exist any more. It is destroyed. Civilians are facing hunger, despair, and death.” Algeria’s deputy UN ambassador, Nacim Gaouaoui, lamented the global failure to address the Palestinian tragedy, warning of heavier costs in the future.
The conflict, which has claimed over 44,000 lives—primarily Palestinian women and children—and left more than 106,000 injured, has drawn widespread condemnation. The international community’s call for a ceasefire underscores a growing demand for accountability and action to alleviate the suffering of civilians trapped in the crossfire.
