UN General Assembly demands immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza

The United Nations General Assembly has on Tuesday adopted a heavily supported draft, demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza as fighting rages between Israel and Hamas.

The resolution , although non-binding, presented by Egypt with the support of nearly 100 countries, passed with 153 votes in favor as the 193-member General Assembly gathered for an emergency special session on the ongoing war.

Ten countries, including the US, Israel and Austria, voted against the resolution, while 23 countries including the UK, Germany, Italy and Ukraine abstained from voting.

After demanding a cease-fire, the resolution also raised concerns about the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of Palestinian civilians.

The draft resolution equally called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of all hostages as well as ensuring humanitarian access to the besieged enclave.

The war in Gaza has put the United States, Israel’s main ally, under pressure with President Joe Biden facing criticism, including from within his own Democratic Party, to prevail on Israel’s military campaign that has led to the death of thousands of civilians.

The health ministry in Gaza said more than 18,400 people have been killed by Israeli bombardments since 7 October, when Hamas broke through Israel’s heavily guarded perimeter and killed 1,200 people and abducted more than 200 people.