The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution calling for a ceasefire in war-torn Gaza. A resolution was passed on Tuesday, with 153 countries voting in favor.
23 countries abstained from voting. At the same time, 10 countries have voted against. Opponents include Israel and the United States.
“We thank all those who supported the draft resolution, which was adopted by an overwhelming majority,” Saudi Arabia’s UN Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil said after the vote. “This reflects the international position of the call to implement this resolution.”
The vote comes at a time when international pressure is growing on Israel to end its months-long offensive on Gaza.
More than 18,000 Palestinians have been killed so far in this war. At the same time, about 80 percent of the 23 lakh people of Gaza have been displaced.
The resolution, sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Palestine, called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and reiterated its demand that all parties comply with their obligations under international law .
An appeal has been made to follow this especially with regard to the safety of citizens. It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages as well as ensuring humanitarian access. Let us tell you that this proposal is not binding.
What is India’s stand?
Hamas is not named in this proposal. In view of this, America proposed an amendment to the draft resolution. It called for including a paragraph that read, “unequivocally rejects and condemns the heinous terrorist attacks and hostage-taking by Hamas in Israel from October 7, 2023.”
Let us tell you that India voted in favor of this amendment. However, India has also voted in favor of the proposal for an immediate ceasefire.
Let us tell you that in October, India had distanced itself from the resolution in the General Assembly, which called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and unhindered humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.
The resolution drafted by Jordan also called for the immediate, continuous, adequate and uninterrupted provision of essential goods and services to civilians throughout the Gaza Strip.