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UN General Assembly adopts resolution demanding immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza

13 Dec 2023 07:45am
The results of a draft resolution vote are seen on a screen as the UN General Assembly holds an emergency special session on the Israel-Hamas war at the United Nations headquarters on December 12, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago / AFP)
The results of a draft resolution vote are seen on a screen as the UN General Assembly holds an emergency special session on the Israel-Hamas war at the United Nations headquarters on December 12, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago / AFP)

UNITED NATIONS - The UN General Assembly on Tuesday afternoon adopted a resolution demanding an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza.

Member states voted down two amendments making specific reference to "extremist group Hamas," with 153 supporting the draft resolution, 10 against and 23 countries abstaining.

The resolution demands an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire," the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and "ensuring humanitarian access."

Tuesday's session is a continuation of the tenth Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly that last met on Oct. 26 amid the present crisis in Gaza, during which it adopted a resolution on the crisis, calling for an "immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities."

The UN General Assembly has 193 member states. A two-thirds majority is required for the adoption of a resolution.

In his statement delivered at the special session, UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis underscored the urgency to bring to an end the suffering of innocent civilians.

He reiterated the demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

"We have one singular priority - only one - to save lives," he stressed. "Stop this violence now."

Francis said the world is witnessing an "unprecedented collapse" of a humanitarian system "in real time." The UN must bring an immediate end to the suffering of civilians, he insisted.

It is high time for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire," he said. - XINHUA

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