The Biden administration, initially backing Israel’s campaign, has recently shifted its tone.
UN General Assembly unites for Gaza Ceasefire amidst global pressure. In a significant show of solidarity, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), consisting of 193 member states, overwhelmingly passed a resolution urging a humanitarian ceasefire in the war-torn Gaza Strip. The resolution garnered support from 153 nations, reflecting a strong global consensus against the ongoing conflict.
During the vote, Israel, the United States, and eight other nations dissented, emphasizing the division on the international stage. Saudi Arabia’s UN ambassador, Abdulaziz Alwasil, expressed gratitude to the majority supporting the resolution, highlighting the international community’s collective call for its enforcement.
The resolution intensifies pressure on Israel to halt its months-long offensive in Gaza, a conflict that has resulted in over 18,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily affecting women and children. More than 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are now displaced due to the relentless airstrikes and an Israeli siege, creating what UN officials describe as a “hell on earth.”
After a similar ceasefire resolution in the UN Security Council (UNSC) faced a US veto, UN Secretary-General Guterres invoked Article 99, marking the first use since 1971, citing a grave threat to international peace. Unlike UNGA votes, UNSC resolutions have the power to be binding.
Despite US and Austrian attempts to add condemnations of an October 7 Hamas attack, these amendments were rejected. Arab nations criticized the efforts as politicization, emphasizing the importance of respect for international law and humanitarian efforts.
Egypt’s UN Ambassador, Osama Abdelkhalek, deemed the draft resolution “balanced and neutral,” calling for the protection of civilians on both sides and the release of all captives.
In response to the ceasefire calls, Israel’s envoy denounced the UN as a “moral stain” and demanded accountability for Hamas attacks. However, many nations argued that respect for international law and humanitarian efforts is crucial, raising concerns about the UN’s diminishing credibility.
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The Biden administration, initially backing Israel’s campaign, has recently shifted its tone. President Biden criticized Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing” and acknowledged the loss of international support. However, the US’s continued silence on Israel’s actions raises questions about a potential double standard on human rights, particularly regarding the destruction of schools and hospitals, echoing concerns expressed in other global conflicts.
