The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted on Thursday a resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as the war approaches its 21st month.

The resolution, led by Spain and co-sponsored by numerous countries, including Palestine, passed with 149 votes in favor, 12 against, and 19 abstentions.

The outcome came just days after a similar resolution was vetoed by the United States at the UN Security Council, marking the latest in a series of diplomatic efforts blocked by Washington since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023.

Applause filled the chamber as the result was announced, highlighting the global consensus on the urgency of halting the war, despite persistent opposition from a small minority of countries.

The governments voting against the resolution were the United States, "Israel", Argentina, Paraguay, Hungary, Fiji, Micronesia, Palau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Papua New Guinea.

Resolution demands ceasefire, access, and accountability

The non-binding text calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire by all parties. It also demands the unconditional release of all "hostages" held in Gaza and urges full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2735 (2024), which outlines provisions for a ceasefire, hostage-prisoner exchanges, the return of displaced persons, and Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza.

The resolution reiterates the legal obligations of all parties under international humanitarian and human rights law, with a strong emphasis on the protection of civilians and the need for accountability for violations. It also explicitly condemns the use of starvation and denial of humanitarian aid as a weapon of war.

Furthermore, the text demands full, safe, and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza, including the delivery of food, medicine, water, shelter, and fuel. It urges the humane treatment of detainees and the return of the remains of deceased persons. The resolution recalls the request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding "Israel’s" obligations in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Assembly also demanded an immediate end to "Israel’s" blockade of Gaza and the opening of all border crossings. It called on all states to take necessary steps to ensure "Israel" complies with international law, while underscoring the need to protect UN personnel, humanitarian workers, and medical staff operating in the war zone.

United States, 'Israel' reject the resolution

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, rejected the resolution, claiming it failed to reflect the realities on the ground and accusing the Assembly of ignoring the struggle of Israeli captives.

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“You gather here today not to demand their release, not to call out the terrorist regime. No. Today, you vote on the resolution that does not condition a ceasefire on the hostages’ freedom, a resolution that refuses to condemn the captors, a resolution that rewards the terrorists responsible for their suffering,” Danon, whose government killed over 55,000 Palestinians in 21 months, said.

The acting US representative, Dorothy Shea, echoed the Israeli stance, voicing opposition to what she described as a one-sided resolution. Shea criticized the failure to condemn Hamas and framed the resolution as a political reward to the group.

“We do not support one-sided measures that fail to condemn Hamas,” Shea said.

Russia backs ceasefire, denounces slaughter

Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya announced his country’s support for the resolution, describing the situation in Gaza as a humanitarian catastrophe.

“There was a time when the world was still horrified that the number of those killed in the Gaza Strip was approaching 15-, 20- or 30,000 people. Now that number is almost twice that — 55,000,” Nebenzya said, referring to the growing civilian death toll.

He described the war as a “slaughter” and said the victims were not armed fighters, but rather civilians sheltering in schools, hospitals, refugee camps, or waiting for humanitarian assistance.

Arab Group: This is not a conventional war

Yemen’s Ambassador Abdullah Ali Fadhel Al-Saadi, representing the government in Aden and speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, welcomed the emergency session and described the resolution as a response to the unprecedented suffering of the Palestinian people.

He emphasized that the ongoing war cannot be viewed as a traditional armed conflict, but rather as a humanitarian crisis requiring urgent international intervention.

“The inability of the Security Council to undertake its responsibility because of the use of the veto does not relieve the international community or other States from the need and the duty to act,” Al-Saadi said.

Palestine: End the genocide, not just the war

Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour issued a powerful call to action, stating that the war had now entered its 614th day, and that the world must take all necessary measures to end what he described as a genocide.

“No arms, no money, no trade to oppress Palestinians, to ethnically cleanse them and steal their land,” Mansour said.

He thanked countries and individuals who had mobilized worldwide in solidarity with the Palestinian people, saying they were “standing up for humanity.” Mansour reiterated his hope for a two-state solution in which Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully and securely.

Spain: A legal, humanitarian framework

Spain’s Ambassador Hector Gomez Hernandez, who introduced the resolution, highlighted the humanitarian and legal imperatives behind the draft.

He said the resolution was the product of joint efforts with Palestine and that it demands full compliance with international humanitarian law, particularly with respect to protecting civilians and allowing humanitarian access.

“The draft resolution welcomes and expresses support for the United Nations’ coordinated plan to resume humanitarian aid deliverance to Gaza,” Gomez said, while emphasizing the need to protect humanitarian workers and UN personnel from ongoing attacks.