United Nations, June 13 (UNI) The General Assembly, at an Emergency Special Session, adopted a resolution on Thursday that demands an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and immediate access to humanitarian assistance at scale.
The resolution demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, to be respected by all parties."
It strongly condemns any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access. It stresses the obligation not to deprive civilians in the Gaza Strip of objects indispensable to their survival, including by wilfully impeding relief supplies and access.
The resolution stresses that an occupying power is obliged under international law to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches all the population in need. It demands the immediate and permanent facilitation of full, rapid, safe and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance at scale to and throughout the Gaza Strip and its delivery to all Palestinian civilians.
The resolution demands that Israel, as the occupying power, immediately end the blockade, open all border crossings and ensure that aid reaches the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip immediately and at scale.
It stresses the need for accountability in order to ensure Israel's respect of international law obligations and, in this regard, calls on all UN member states to individually and collectively take all measures necessary to ensure compliance by Israel with its obligations.
The resolution was adopted with 149 votes in favour, 12 votes against, and 19 abstentions.
Apart from Israel and the United States, the following 10 countries voted against the draft resolution: Argentina, Fiji, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, Tuvalu.
The Emergency Special Session on Israel's illegal actions in the occupied Palestinian territory was first convened in April 1997. The 10th session on Thursday was summoned at the request of the Arab Group and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Group following last week's U.S. veto of a Security Council draft resolution that would have demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid.
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