UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted for ceasefire in Gaza

12/12/2024 6:08

The United Nations

General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on Wednesday to demand an

immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire between Israel

and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the

immediate release of all hostages.



The ceasefire demand in the resolution - adopted with 158

votes in favor - is an escalation by the 193-member General

Assembly, which in October last year called for and then - two

months later - demanded an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza.



General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry

political weight, reflecting a global view on the war. The

United States, Israel and seven other countries voted against

the ceasefire resolution, while 13 countries abstained.



The world body also threw its support behind the U.N.

Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, adopting a second resolution

with 159 votes in favor to deplore a new law that will ban

UNRWA's operations in Israel from late January.



It demanded that Israel respect UNRWA's mandate and

"enable its operations to proceed without impediment or

restriction." The U.S., Israel and seven other countries voted

no, while 11 countries abstained.