The United Nations General Assembly will vote on Thursday on a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the ongoing war in Gaza. The move comes days after the United States vetoed a similar proposal in the Security Council.
Diplomats say the 193-member General Assembly is likely to adopt the resolution with strong support, despite Israel’s lobbying efforts urging countries to boycott what it described as a “politically-motivated, counter-productive charade.” While General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they are regarded as important indicators of international opinion on the conflict.
Past appeals by the General Assembly for a halt to hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants have not been heeded. However, unlike the Security Council, where permanent members can exercise veto power, no country holds such authority in the General Assembly.
The vote comes ahead of a UN-hosted conference next week aimed at renewing global momentum toward a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians. The United States has advised countries not to attend the conference, warning that any actions deemed anti-Israel following the event could be interpreted as opposing US foreign policy and may lead to diplomatic repercussions.
Last week, the US vetoed a Security Council resolution that also called for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid access to Gaza. Washington argued that the resolution would interfere with ongoing US-led negotiations aimed at securing a truce.
The other 14 Security Council members voted in favour of the measure amid worsening conditions in Gaza, where more than two million residents face a humanitarian emergency. The United Nations has warned that famine is imminent in the enclave, and despite Israel lifting an 11-week blockade last month, aid delivery has remained severely limited.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
