In a blow to the US, which has consistently obstructed requests for a ceasefire in the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly has voted to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in war-torn Gaza.
The resolution passed by the General Assembly further urges that all captives be released immediately and without conditions, and that the warring parties adhere to international law, particularly as it relates to protecting civilians.
Israel's military campaign has declared it will not stop its campaign until it destroys Hamas, the Palestinian organisation that rules Gaza. This comes after a surprise attack on Israel country on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 240 kidnappings, according to Israeli officials. There are reportedly over a hundred prisoners held captive in Gaza.
Although it accepted a seven-day truce in exchange for the release of Israeli prisoners detained in Gaza, Israel has previously rejected pleas for a ceasefire.
What did the United Nations vote for?
In the emergency special session of the General Assembly on Tuesday, 153 countries voted in favour of the ceasefire resolution, 10 against and 23 abstained.
The resolution demands that all parties immediately stop all military operations and cease all firing.
Previous examples of ceasefires include the 1993 Kurdistan Workers' Party ceasefire, the 2004 Darfur Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement, the 2009–2010 Kurdistan Workers' Party ceasefire, the 2012–2014 Salvadoran gang truce and the 2023 Russian Christmas truce proposal.
The emergency session of the General Assembly will recommence on Friday afternoon (15 December) in New York at 3pm local time (8pm UK time).
What power does the UN have to stop the war?
The Security Council is empowered to implement enforcement actions to preserve or reestablish global peace and security under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
These may be anything from international military intervention to economic sanctions. Additionally, Special Political Missions and UN Peacekeeping Operations are established by the Council.
Which countries voted for the UN ceasefire?
In total, 153 countries voted in favour of the ceasefire.
The following countries voted for the ceasefire:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Central Africa, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros and Congo.
As well as Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao PDR, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal.
New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka and Sudan.
Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Which countries voted against the UN ceasefire?
Together with the US, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Austria, the Czech Republic, Guatemala, Liberia, Micronesia, and Nauru, Israel voted against a ceasefire.
