KUALA LUMPUR – The United Nations General Assembly is expected to vote tomorrow on a draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, despite the US vetoing a similar resolution that was brought to the UN Security Council days ago.
Yesterday, it was reported that at least 17,700 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, with more than 48,800 wounded. The revised death toll in Israel stands at 1,147.
In October, the 193-member assembly had adopted a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce and the unhindered provision of essential supplies and services into the Gaza Strip.
The voting during the 10th Emergency Special Session of the assembly saw the Jordanian-led resolution adopted by the General Assembly, with 120 votes in favour, 14 against, and 45 abstentions.
Days ago, the Security Council saw a 13-1 decision in the 15-member council, with the US vetoing and the UK abstaining, despite growing calls for the bombardment by Israel to stop.
The two veto powers – France and Russia – also condemned the results of the vote, with Russia’s deputy UN ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky, accusing the US of issuing “a death sentence to thousands, if not tens of thousands, more civilians in Palestine and Israel, including women and children”.
The council had convened for an emergency meeting as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who for the first time invoked Article 99, which enables him to raise threats he sees to international peace and security. – December 11, 2023