On Thursday, the 193-member UN General Assembly will vote on a draft resolution demanding an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza. This follows last week's US veto of a similar text in the Security Council, which had secured 14 votes in favor but was blocked by Washington.
Diplomats expect overwhelming support in the General Assembly—where no member can veto—despite Israel's appeal to countries to skip what it calls a "politically-motivated, counter-productive charade."
While GA resolutions are non-binding, they reflect the global mood. Previous votes in October 2023 (120 in favor), December 2023 (153) and late 2023 (158) all demanded humanitarian truces or ceasefires, yet the war has continued.
This resolution not only calls for a ceasefire but also demands the release of hostages held by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel, and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. It "strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare," and demands unhindered aid access.
Gaza's 2 million residents face a deepening humanitarian crisis: an 11-week blockade was lifted last month, but aid remains limited and famine looms, according to UN agencies. In a note seen by Reuters, the U.S. warned that "countries that take anti-Israel actions on the heels of the conference will be viewed as acting in opposition to U.S. foreign policy interests and could face diplomatic consequences."
Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon dismissed the draft as "immensely flawed and harmful," accusing it of undermining hostage negotiations and overlooking Hamas's role. Yet backers say that global pressure via the General Assembly could revive momentum for a two-state solution, ahead of next week's UN conference.
As the world watches, Thursday's tally will show whether diplomatic pressure can translate into real-world impact—or remain another symbolic plea amid an unfolding tragedy.
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UNGA to vote on immediate Gaza ceasefire over U.S., Israel opposition
cgtn.com
