Nearly four-in-five U.N. member nations backed a resolution urging an end to the fighting between Israel and Hamas, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the free flow of life-saving aid to 2 million Palestinians.
By a vote of 149-12 on Thursday in the 193-member U.N. General Assembly, the resolution put forward by Spain won approval and applause. It strongly condemns "any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare." Israel and the United States were opposed. Nineteen nations abstained.
The vote contrasts with the deadlock in the U.N. Security Council, which last week failed to pass a resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and calling on Israel to lift all restrictions on aid deliveries. It was vetoed by the Trump administration for lacking any mention of hostage releases.
Unlike the council, where five members including the U.S. hold veto power, the assembly does not allow for vetoes and its resolutions are non-binding, though they can convey the weight of world opinion.
Palestinian U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour praised the resolution for condemning the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian aid access, and for stressing the obligation not to deprive civilians of items "indispensable to their survival."
Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon, however, denied Israel used starvation as a weapon of war or that aid was not being delivered in Gaza. Israel supports a new U.S. aid group and let the United Nations deliver a small amount of food after imposing a 10-week aid blockade in Gaza.
Experts say 2 million Palestinians are at risk of famine and civilians are being killed or injured trying to gain access to non-United Nations food distribution points that are supported by Israel and the U.S.
