On Friday (October 27), the United Nations General Assembly unanimously approved a Jordanian motion calling for an emergency humanitarian truce between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The agreed resolution also calls for “continuous, sufficient, and unhindered” aid to Gaza and civilian protection. On the other side, a resolution submitted by Canada and supported by 35 member states, including the US, that tried to condemn Hamas for its strikes on southern Israel on October 7 failed to get enough votes.
This comes after the UNGA and the Security Council failed four times to pass a resolution to take action in Gaza
This comes after the UNGA and the Security Council failed four times to pass a resolution to take action in Gaza over the past two weeks. The resolution proposed by Canada, the first one to be voted on, said that it “unequivocally rejects and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas” in Israel, including the taking of more than 200 hostages, according to the Israeli military.
Meanwhile, the Jordanian resolution, which was supported by 40 member states, called for an “immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce,” as well as conformity with international humanitarian law in the midst of the current conflict and measures to provide aid to Gaza.
The resolution, however, makes no mention of Hamas’ attacks on southern Israel
Jordan’s resolution also demanded the “immediate and unconditional release” of all civilians detained. The resolution, however, makes no mention of Hamas’ attacks on southern Israel. While these resolutions are neither legally binding nor represent the UNGA’s official view until they are adopted, they have political weight. This comes as the pressure on Israel has risen in recent days following its announcement that it would conduct a “ground operation” in Gaza. A resolution also requires a two-thirds majority without abstentions.
The Canadian-led bid failed despite garnering enough votes, with 88 nations in favor, 55 opposed, and 23 abstaining. The Jordanian resolution, on the other hand, was approved by the UNGA with 120 votes in favor, 14 against, and 45 abstentions. The United Nations Security Council underscored the “importance of preventing further destabilization and escalation of violence in the region”, calling on “all parties to exercise maximum restraint and upon all those with influence on them to work toward this objective.”
This comes amid concerns that the conflict between Israel and Hamas will spread to the rest of the region. The UNGA has also urged Israel to revoke its order for civilians in northern Gaza, numbering up to 1.1 million people, to relocate. The General Assembly “firmly rejects any attempts at the forced transfer of the Palestinian civilian population.” It also called for the “immediate and unconditional release of all civilians who are being illegally held captive” but did not mention Hamas anywhere in the text.
Israel is “closely monitoring” the humanitarian situation in Gaza
Israel’s permanent representative to the UN, Gilad Erdan, reaffirmed the country’s right to self-defence and condemned the resolution, which fails to acknowledge Hamas’ attacks, which were among the worst in Israel’s 75-year history. “This ridiculous resolution has the audacity to call for a truce, the goal for this resolution’s truce is that Israel should cease to defend itself, so Hamas can light us on fire,” Erdan went on to say. “How come you defend murderers?” Why do you defend terrorists…? “What exactly is going on here?”
He also said that Israel is “closely monitoring” the humanitarian situation in Gaza, “and we know that there is no humanitarian crisis in accordance with humanitarian law trusting the reports coming out of is exactly like trusting reports from ISIS,” referring to the Islamic State militant group. Hamas and the Palestinian Authority welcomed the adoption of the Jordanian resolution. “We demand its immediate application to allow the entry of fuel and humanitarian aid for civilians,” said the Palestinian militant group in a statement. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority Israel’s campaign against the Palestinian people “reaches a new peak of brutality,” there was “a solid international position rejecting Israel’s unhinged aggression”.