Did the UN General Assembly Demand an Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza?

United Nations, June 13 (NationPress) - During an Emergency Special Session, the General Assembly adopted a resolution urging for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza along with prompt access to humanitarian aid. This resolution, passed on Thursday, calls for "an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire to be upheld by all involved parties."

It vehemently condemns the use of starvation against civilians as a tactic of warfare and any unlawful denial of humanitarian access. The resolution emphasizes the necessity to provide essential supplies to civilians in the Gaza Strip while denouncing any deliberate obstruction of relief efforts, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Moreover, it reiterates that an occupying power must adhere to international law, ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need.

The resolution mandates the swift and unobstructed entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, ensuring delivery to all Palestinian civilians. It also insists that Israel, as the occupying power, must immediately cease the blockade, open all border crossings, and guarantee that aid reaches the Palestinian population promptly.

Furthermore, the text emphasizes the need for accountability to ensure Israel's adherence to international law, urging all UN member states to take necessary actions collectively and individually to enforce compliance.

The resolution reaffirms a steadfast commitment to the two-state solution, with the Gaza Strip being part of the Palestinian State. It firmly rejects any attempts at demographic or territorial alterations in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, alongside all actions that contravene the historic status quo of the holy sites in the city.

It categorically rejects acts aimed at forcibly displacing the Palestinian population and unlawfully seizing their territory, demanding an end to such practices.

An immediate halt to all settlement construction, land confiscation, home demolitions, forced evictions, and settler violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is called for.

The resolution calls for decisive actions to maintain the territorial integrity of the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and facilitate the unification of the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.

It reaffirms the ongoing responsibility of the United Nations concerning the Palestinian issue until it is addressed in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

All member states are encouraged to uphold the privileges and immunities of UN officials and to avoid actions that may hinder their functions. Additionally, they are urged to protect humanitarian and medical personnel involved in delivering aid.

The resolution was adopted with 149 votes in favor, 12 votes against, and 19 abstentions. Besides Israel and the United States, ten other nations voted against the resolution: Argentina, Fiji, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, and Tuvalu.

This Emergency Special Session, addressing Israel's unlawful actions in the occupied Palestinian territory, was originally convened in April 1997. The tenth session was resumed at the request of the Arab Group and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation following a recent US veto of a Security Council resolution advocating for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the lifting of all humanitarian aid restrictions.