The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted to demand an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. The resolution, adopted on December 11, 2024, received overwhelming support with 158 votes in favor, 9 against, and 13 abstentions. Among the countries voting against the resolution were the United States, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Guatemala. Those abstaining included countries like Australia, Canada, Germany, and Ukraine.
The UN General Assembly resolution also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Palestinian militants. This language was stronger than previous General Assembly resolutions on the conflict, which had only called for a “humanitarian ceasefire.”
In a separate vote, the General Assembly also passed a resolution supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the UN agency that provides aid to Palestinian refugees. This resolution passed with 159 votes in favor and 9 against, and condemned Israel’s recent legislation banning UNRWA’s activities in the Palestinian territories.
The United States, a staunch ally of Israel, opposed both resolutions. The U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the U.N., Robert Wood, defended the American stance, expressing concerns that the resolution could inadvertently reward Hamas and inadequately address the necessity of securing the release of hostages. Wood emphasized that any sustainable resolution to the conflict must prioritize hostage liberation as a key element. He also said the UNRWA resolution had “serious flaws” by failing to create a path to restore trust between the UN agency and Israel.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon accused the resolution’s supporters of “complicity” with Hamas, saying the ceasefire resolution failed to directly link the release of hostages to the ceasefire demand. He called it “appeasement” that “enables terror and abandons the innocent.”
The overwhelming votes in favor of the resolutions reflect the international community’s growing frustration with the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The 14-month war between Israel and Hamas has resulted in the deaths of over 44,700 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. The humanitarian situation in the territory has also become increasingly dire, with the UN warning of an imminent famine in northern Gaza.
While the General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they do carry significant moral and political weight. The Palestinians and their supporters brought the resolutions to the General Assembly after the U.S. vetoed a similar ceasefire resolution at the UN Security Council in November 2023.
The U.S. stance at the U.N. aligns with its historical pattern of backing Israel in international forums. This approach has drawn criticism from various quarters, including other U.N. member states and human rights organizations, who argue that it hinders efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The conflict, which began after a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties and a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. International calls for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid have intensified, but diplomatic efforts have yet to yield a lasting solution.
