UN adopts resolution demanding immediate Gaza ceasefire despite U.S., Israel opposition

The UN General Assembly, at an Emergency Special Session, overwhelmingly adopted a resolution on Thursday demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, along with rapid, large-scale access to humanitarian assistance, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week.

The resolution also demands the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The text garnered 149 votes in favor, with 19 countries abstaining, while the U.S., Israel and 10 others voted against.

The resolution strongly condemns any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access. It stresses the obligation not to deprive civilians in the Gaza Strip of objects indispensable to their survival, including by willfully impeding relief supplies and access.

General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding but carry weight as a reflection of the global view on the conflict. Previous demands by the body for an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas have been ignored. Unlike the UN Security Council, no country has a veto in the General Assembly.

The resolution stresses that an occupying power is obliged under international law to ensure humanitarian aid reaches all populations in need. It demands the immediate and permanent facilitation of full, rapid, safe and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance at scale to and throughout the Gaza Strip and its delivery to all Palestinian civilians.

It demands that Israel, as the occupying power, immediately end the blockade, open all border crossings, and ensure that aid reaches the Palestinian civilian population throughout Gaza immediately and at scale.

The resolution stresses the need for accountability to ensure Israel respects its international law obligations and calls on all UN member states to individually and collectively take all measures necessary to ensure Israel's compliance.

The resolution reiterates unwavering commitment to the two-state solution, with the Gaza Strip as part of the Palestinian State. It firmly rejects attempts at demographic and territorial change in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as all measures violating the historic status quo of the city's holy sites.

The resolution unequivocally rejects actions aimed at forcibly displacing the Palestinian people and unlawfully seizing Palestinian territory, demanding the immediate and complete cessation of such actions.

It demands an immediate halt to all settlement construction, expansion, land confiscation, home demolitions, forced evictions and settler violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

It calls for immediate, concrete steps to preserve the territorial integrity of the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and to unify the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.

The resolution reaffirms the permanent responsibility of the United Nations regarding the question of Palestine until it is resolved in all aspects in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

It calls on all member states to respect the privileges and immunities of all United Nations officials, specialized agencies and related organizations, and to refrain from acts that would impede their functions. It also calls on all states to respect and protect humanitarian and UN personnel, including national and locally recruited staff.

The resolution stresses the obligation to respect and protect medical personnel, humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities, in all circumstances.

The Emergency Special Session on Israel's illegal actions in the occupied Palestinian territory was first convened in April 1997. The 10th session, held on Thursday, was resumed at the request of the Arab Group and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation following last week's U.S. veto of a Security Council draft resolution that would have demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid.

(With input from agencies)