On Thursday, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urging member states to take “all measures necessary” to pressure Israel. This non-binding resolution passed with 149 votes in favour, 12 against, and 19 abstentions, following the United States’ veto of a similar measure at the Security Council last week.
The resolution demands “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza, alongside the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages” taken during Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which ignited the ongoing conflict.
Unlike the US-blocked Security Council text, this resolution explicitly criticises Israel for restricting aid deliveries to Gaza. It demands that Israel, described as the occupying power, “immediately end the blockade” and ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilians throughout the Gaza Strip, which is enduring a dire humanitarian crisis after over 20 months of war.
The resolution further calls on all UN members “individually and collectively” to take all necessary actions in accordance with international law to ensure Israel meets its obligations.
Israel’s envoy Danny Danon denounced the resolution ahead of the vote, labelling it “a farce, a moral failure and a political stunt.” Meanwhile, Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour urged countries to translate their votes into “resolute action,” calling for a halt to arms, funding, and trade that oppress Palestinians.
Humanitarian Concerns and Accountability
The resolution “strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access.” Israel recently lifted its total blockade to allow some aid to pass through newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) centres, supported by the US. However, the UN has refused to collaborate with GHF over concerns about its neutrality and practices.
Gaza’s civil defence reported dozens of deaths near GHF distribution points since late May, including 21 people killed by Israeli forces while waiting for aid on Thursday. The GHF attributed the deaths of eight of its staff to attacks by Hamas militants.
Calls for Action following Stalemate
In the absence of Security Council action, Mansour last week called on all nations to take “immediate and real measures” to halt what he described as Israel’s “mad march.”
The resolution also reiterates the Assembly’s “unwavering commitment to the two-State solution,” envisioning two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.
Historically, the UN General Assembly’s 1947 resolution partitioned British Mandate Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states, leading to Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948 and subsequent conflict with neighbouring Arab states.
Over the decades, the UN Assembly has consistently voiced support for Palestinians following the ongoing Israeli occupation. Israel, meanwhile, has counted on strong backing from its US ally, especially under former President Donald Trump.
US acting ambassador Dorothy Shea criticised the resolution, arguing it “does nothing to free the hostages, improve the lives of civilians in Gaza or bring us closer to a ceasefire.” She labelled the vote “yet another performative action that erodes the credibility of this body.”