Islamabad web desk ..The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on Wednesday to demand an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the immediate release of all hostages.
The UN General Assembly Hall is empty before the start of the SDG Moment event as part of the UN General Assembly 76th session General Debate at United Nations Headquarters,
The ceasefire demand in the resolution – adopted with 158 votes in favour – 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 messages we send to the world through these resolutions matter. And both of these resolutions have significant problems,” Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood told the assembly.
“One rewards Hamas and downplays the need to release the hostages, and the other denigrates Israel without providing a path forward to increasing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians,” he said.
