UN General Assembly Set to Vote on Gaza Ceasefire Resolution Despite US and Israel Opposition

 

UN General Assembly Set to Vote on Gaza Ceasefire Resolution Despite US and Israel Opposition The United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to vote on Thursday on a draft resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. This follows the recent failure of a similar effort at the UN Security Council last week, where the United States vetoed the resolution. The 193-member Assembly is expected to approve the draft overwhelmingly, despite Israel lobbying countries against participating, calling it a "politically-motivated, counter-productive charade." Although General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, they reflect international opinion and have moral weight. Past calls for ceasefires have been ignored, but the resolution emphasizes urgent humanitarian needs, including the release of hostages, return of prisoners, and unhindered aid access.

Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, condemned the draft as "false and defamatory," criticizing it for not condemning Hamas and claiming it undermines hostage negotiations. The conflict, which escalated after Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023, has resulted in significant casualties: over 54,000 Palestinians killed according to Gaza health authorities, while Israel reports at least 1,200 Israelis killed, many civilians. The resolution also condemns the use of starvation and destruction of civilian infrastructure. This vote occurs ahead of a UN conference aimed at revitalizing efforts for a two-state solution, amid warnings from the US that countries opposing Israel could face diplomatic consequences.

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