UNGA calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire, supports UNRWA
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday passed two significant resolutions, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expressing strong support for the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, which faces a looming ban by Israel.
The Pakistan-backed resolution calling for a ceasefire garnered overwhelming support, with 158 votes in favor out of 193 member states. This marked a shift from earlier UNGA actions, elevating the language from “calling for” a truce in October 2023 to “demanding” one in December 2023. While General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, they carry substantial moral and political weight, showcasing the international community’s stance on the ongoing conflict. The United States, Israel, and seven other nations opposed the resolution, with 13 countries abstaining.
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The resolution underscores the urgency of providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, particularly in northern Gaza, where up to 75,000 people have been cut off from aid for two months. Hunger monitors warn of an imminent famine in the region. “We cannot remain silent in the face of this abhorrent situation,” said Indonesia’s Ambassador Arrmanatha Nasir, introducing the ceasefire proposal. Mexico’s ambassador, Hector Vasconcelos, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the UN’s duty to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
In a separate resolution, the UNGA backed UNRWA, the agency established in 1949 to assist Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. This resolution, co-sponsored by over 90 countries, was passed with 159 votes in favor and nine against. It criticized a new Israeli law set to ban UNRWA’s operations in Israel starting January, which could significantly impact aid delivery in Gaza and the West Bank.
The resolution called on Israel to honor its international obligations, ensure unrestricted humanitarian access across Gaza, and pay reparations for damages to UNRWA facilities. “An agency we established is under threat,” said Slovenian Ambassador Samuel Zbogar, highlighting the critical role of UNRWA in representing UN values.
Since the conflict intensified on October 7, 2023, Gaza has faced devastating destruction, with over 44,800 reported deaths and widespread displacement affecting nearly all of its 2.3 million residents. UN officials have appealed for over $4 billion to address the urgent humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territories in the coming year.
Norway announced plans to draft a resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on Israel’s obligations to facilitate humanitarian aid. The two resolutions passed Wednesday received the highest level of support among Gaza-related motions in the General Assembly since the conflict began 14 months ago. Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour hailed the outcome as a clear sign of Israel and the U.S.’s growing isolation on the global stage.
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