World body adopts resolution calls for ‘humanitarian truce’, civilian protection in Gaza, India abstained

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau

UNITED NATIONS, 28^th Oct. UN General Assembly on Friday adopted a major resolution on the Gaza crisis, calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.”

The resolution breaks the silence at the UN over a response to the Israel-Palestine crisis which erupted on 7 October, where Member States on the Security Council have failed to reach agreement on four draft resolutions.

The resolution received 120 voted in favor and 14 against, and 45 abstentions.

It required a two-thirds majority of members present and voting to be adopted.

The resolution has called for “protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations.

The GA demanded that all parties “immediately and fully comply” with obligations under international humanitarian and human rights laws, “particularly in regard to the protection of civilians and civilian objects.”

It urged the protection of humanitarian personnel, persons hors de combat, and humanitarian facilities and assets, and to enable and facilitate humanitarian access for essential supplies and services to reach all civilians in need in the Gaza Strip.”

The resolution called for rescinding of the order by Israel, “the occupying Power”, for Palestinian civilians, UN staff and humanitarian workers to evacuate all areas in the Gaza Strip north of Wadi Gaza and relocate to the south.

It called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of all civilians being illegally held captive, demanding their safety, well-being and humane treatment in compliance with international law.

The resolution reaffirmed that a “just and lasting solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means, based on the relevant UN resolutions and in accordance with international law, and on the basis of the two-State solution.

The Assembly also decides to adjourn the tenth emergency special session temporarily and to authorize the President of the General Assembly at its most recent session to resume its meeting upon request from Member States.

The amendment led by Canada did not pass, as it failed to reach the required two-thirds majority.

That amendment would have “unequivocally rejected and condemned the terrorist attacks by Hamas that took place in Israel starting on 7 October 2023 and the taking of hostages”.

 

Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Ambassador Yojna Patel said the 7 October terror attacks are shocking, called for the immediate release of the hostages.

She said that casualties in Gaza are a continuing concern and the crisis needs to be addressed.

India abstained in the resolution vote.

She said India welcomed ongoing efforts and reiterated support for the two-State solution.

Ms. Yojna Patel urged the parties to de-escalate the violence and work towards resuming substantial peace negotiations.

Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan said in response to the resolution passing that “today is a day that will go down in infamy”.

“We have all witnessed that the UN holds not even one ounce of legitimacy,” he said.

“The UN is committed to ensuring further atrocity. According to the family of nations, Israel has no right to defend itself.”

There are no talks or discussions to be held with Hamas, he said.

He added that Israel will not sit idly by to let them commit atrocities again. The resolution does not mention Hamas once, as if the war started on its own.

“What is going on here?” he asked, questioned whether the goal was to tie Israel’s hands. “The only way to destroy Hamas is to root them out. Why are you not holding Hamas accountable?”

He said “We know there is no humanitarian crisis in accordance with international humanitarian law.”

Ambassador Erdan noted that every statistic comes from Hamas about information about Gaza.

He said anyone interested in preventing violence should call on Hamas to lay down their arms, turn themselves in and return all hostages.

“If this were to happen, the war would end immediately,” he said.

“This is a dark day for the UN and mankind. Israel will defend itself and will do what must be done to eradicate Hamas’ capabilities and bring the hostages home.”

French Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière spoke after the resolution passed, said his delegation voted in favor, as “nothing justifies the killing of civilians”.

“We have to work collectively to set up a humanitarian truce because the situation in Gaza is catastrophic,” he said.

He noted that France has already sent an aid vessel. “The Assembly must call for the release of hostages.”

The adoption of this resolution cannot replace the Security Council’s efforts nor the decisions that the organ must now adopt, he expressed hope that the Council can reach a decision.

“We have a duty to prevent a worsening of the situation,” he said. “The only viable solution is a two-State solution.”

Pakistan envoy Munir Akram rebutted Canada’s amendment said that if Canada was being fair in its amendment it would agree to name Israel as well as Hamas.

He said that not naming either side was the best choice as the Jordanian resolution does.

“Israel needs to be named too, if you are to be fair and equitable and just”, he said.

He said “We all know who started this. It is 50 years of Israeli occupation and the killing of Palestinians with impunity.”

Israel can’t face the truth or face justice. The Israeli occupation is the original sin, not what happened on 7 October, he added.

Canada Ambassador to the UN Bob Rae said the Assembly is meeting to show Israelis and Palestinians that any life lost is a tragedy.

 

He stressed that the critical reason for being here has been forgotten. On 7 October, Hamas wreaked terror on Israel. Since then, over 7,000 Palestinians have been killed.

 

“We can see the need for a rapid response,” he said.

Canada cannot support the current text, he said.

He added that the Assembly cannot act without recognizing the 7 October terrorist attacks and the hostage taking.

Ambassador Rae said if the proposed amendment is not adopted, the Assembly will not have recognized one of the world’s worst terrorist attacks and “we will all have to live with that failure as the tragedy continues to unfold.”

He said if the proposed amendment is not adopted, the Assembly will not have recognized one of the world’s worst terrorist attacks and “we will all have to live with that failure as the tragedy continues to unfold,”.

This amendment “names what has to be named”, he said.

He emphasized that the crisis must not spread through the region, he reiterated that Canada supports the two-State solution and continues to provide humanitarian aid for Gaza.

Jordan Ambassador Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud said that the “urgent need for an immediate ceasefire cannot be overstated.”

He said that the immeasurable suffering of the Palestinian people was destined to leave a lasting mark on generations to come.

Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud  said that delegates were “witnessing a ground invasion by Israel as we speak” and failure four times by the Security Council to reach any consensus for action.

He said there was a “simple yet vital goal” of their resolution “that aligns with the very purpose for which the UN was established, peace and compliance with international law.”

British Minister for the Middle East, Lord Tariq Ahmad, offered his condolences to UN staff and medics who have lost their lives under bombardment in Gaza, and the victims of the 7 October attacks in Israel and the families of innocent Palestinians killed.

“Every life that is lost is a tragedy. Not just for a family in Israel, Gaza or the West Bank but for all of humanity.”

He called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, calling for the unconditional release of hostages and unhindered humanitarian access.

Lord Ahmad said it was urgent to scale up aid through the Rafah crossing, and praised the UN Secretary-General and all staff who are working tirelessly to ensure aid reaches those in need.

He said humanitarian pauses were essential to allow aid through.

UK stands with Israel in the face of Hamas terror and Israel’s right to self defence, he underlined.

He also stressed this must be within international law.

He stated a ”personal view”, as a Muslim, the British peer said “terrorism is evil” and every act of terrorism is against humanity “and we must condemn it unequivocally”.

On this basis, the resolution before the Assembly “should be clearer on this point.”

UK has been equally clear that all steps must be taken to minimize harm and ensure civilian movements are voluntary and safe.

“In this moment of darkness” he said, let’s come together and not loose sight of the promise of a two-State solution to the conflict.

“We in the UK will continue to work closely with all partners in the region and beyond in these efforts because peace must prevail.”

Brazilian envoy Sérgio França Danese expressed “unequivocal condemnation” of the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas, including the taking of hostages.

He “clearly condemned” the attacks that are indiscriminately killing and wounding civilians and destroying homes in the Gaza Strip, depriving them of basic tools for survival.

Mr. França Danese said Brazil, the President of the Security Council for October, welcomed the emergency session after the Security Council failed to adopt any of four draft resolutions on the crisis, including one proposed by his delegation, which drew 12 votes in favour.

He said that the robust support given by Council members to the resolution “indicates that it was a balanced text.”

Brazil Ambassador described the resolution as “solidly rooted” in international humanitarian and human rights law, and “fundamentally committed to the humanitarian imperative.”

Turkiye Ambassador to the UN, Sedat Önal said that with a paralyzed Security Council, it is up to the General Assembly to rise to the occasion.

Sedat Onal said based on principle, Türkiye co-authored the resolution introduced today, which contains the minimum of what we need to put an end to the carnage and ease tensions on the ground.

He added that targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure will not bring security. Peace will not be possible as long as Palestinians aspirations for freedom, dignity and statehood continue to be denied.  .