The General Assembly overwhelmingly adopts a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution Thursday "demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza war."

The United Nations said in a statement: "Applause erupted in the General Assembly as members adopted the resolution, with 149 out of 193 countries voting in favor, achieving the required two-thirds majority."

12 countries voted against the resolution, and 19 countries abstained.

The statement added: "The United States joined Israel in opposing the text, along with Argentina, Fiji, Hungary, Micronesia, Paraguay, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Tuvalu."

The resolution strongly condemned "the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, the unlawful denial of humanitarian aid, and the deprivation of civilians... of objects indispensable to their survival."

The resolution also called on Israel, as "the occupying power," to immediately end the blockade, open all border crossings, and ensure widespread access to aid for the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip.

The resolution strongly condemned "any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful obstruction of the delivery of humanitarian assistance," and emphasized the duty "not to deprive civilians in the Gaza Strip of objects indispensable to their survival by deliberately obstructing the provision and delivery of relief supplies."

The resolution was titled "Protection of Civilians and Adherence to Legal and Humanitarian Obligations," and included 21 implementing clauses, including a demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups and all arbitrarily detained persons "in a manner that preserves their dignity," and the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2730, which called for—among other things—the return of Palestinians to their homes and neighborhoods and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

The UN statement said, "In its resolution, the General Assembly expressed its support for the United Nations coordinated plan to resume aid delivery, affirmed that UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip, and affirmed its rejection of measures that undermine the implementation of the Agency's mandate entrusted to it by the Assembly."

It stressed the need for accountability "to ensure Israel's respect for its obligations under international law" and called on States to take all necessary measures to ensure Israel's compliance with its obligations. The General Assembly reiterated its commitment to a two-state solution, living side by side in peace and security, with the Gaza Strip "part of the Palestinian State."

The United Nations General Assembly resumed its tenth emergency special session on illegal Israeli actions in the occupied Palestinian territory on Thursday, which was first held in April 1997.

The resumption of this session comes after the United States recently used its veto power against a draft resolution in the Security Council calling for an immediate, permanent, and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, submitted by the ten non-permanent members of the Council.

At the opening of the resumed session, General Assembly President Philomon Yang said that after 20 months of war, "the horrors of Gaza must end," stressing that despite the urgency of the issue, the Security Council "remains paralyzed on this issue and unable to fulfill its responsibility to maintain international peace and security."

"It is unacceptable that innocent civilians, including women and children, continue to be killed with no end in sight, that hostages continue to be held, that civilians are deliberately deprived of food, water and medicine, and that they continue to be forcibly displaced," he said.

Yang emphasized that the General Assembly is called to action today, adding, "We must translate our commitment to the UN Charter, international law, justice, and the dignity and worth of every human being into meaningful action on the ground." He said that these values "are not just lofty ideals. They are the foundation of hope and peace."

For his part, Spain's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Hector José Gómez, reviewed the draft resolution submitted by his country, which he said calls on the parties to the conflict in Gaza to comply with their obligations under international law and "immediately and sustainably facilitate the full, rapid, safe, and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, including food, medical supplies, fuel, equipment, shelter, and clean drinking water."

He said the draft resolution also affirms the obligation of parties to armed conflict to respect and protect civilians, and calls on all states to respect and protect humanitarian workers, including United Nations personnel.

He added that the draft resolution categorically rejects "any attempts at demographic change in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank" and condemns all plans for individual or mass forced displacement.

For his part, Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, called on member states to vote in favor of the resolution, saying the world must take all necessary measures to end what he described as "genocide."

He said the international community must ensure that Israel complies with its international obligations as the occupying power to provide humanitarian assistance to all Palestinians, noting that Israel continues to ignore UN resolutions and international humanitarian law.

He expressed his gratitude to all those around the world who have mobilized to end the conflict in Gaza, saying that these people "stand for humanity," and renewed his hope for a two-state solution where Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace and security.

Yemen's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah Al-Saadi, spoke on behalf of the Arab Group, expressing his deep appreciation for the swift response to convene the emergency session in light of the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people. He said, "We meet today, once again under the dome of this General Assembly, not to repeat words about the tragedy, but to put an end to the tragedy."

He added that the Arab Group reaffirms that what is happening in the Gaza Strip cannot be considered a conventional armed conflict. Rather, it is a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent and effective action by the United Nations, particularly the General Assembly.

Acting US Ambassador to the United Nations Dorothy Shea criticized the resolution, saying it failed to condemn Hamas. "We do not support unilateral measures that fail to condemn Hamas," she said. Ms. Shea urged support for ongoing diplomatic efforts to release the hostages and for the so-called "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation."

Shea said that sustainable peace will only be achieved through direct negotiations, saying, "This decision does not bring calm to Gaza, nor does it advance a genuine diplomatic solution that advances the cause of peace."