UN General Assembly adopts resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

(Patria) - The UN General Assembly, by a majority of votes tonight, adopted a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

153 member states voted for the resolution, 10 were against, and 23 abstained.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina announced on social network X that our country voted "for" and also co-sponsored the Resolution.

Ten countries, including the USA, Israel, and Austria, voted against the resolution, while 23, including Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and Ukraine, abstained from voting.

The non-binding resolution was presented by Egypt with the support of almost 100 countries, including Turkey.

The General Assembly, which has 193 members, convened today for an emergency special session on Palestine.

In addition to the call for a ceasefire, the resolution expresses serious concern about the "catastrophic humanitarian situation" in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of Palestinian civilians.

It was also emphasized that the Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations "must be protected" in accordance with international humanitarian law.

All parties are called upon to abide by their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, especially regarding the protection of civilians.

It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access.

The resolution calls for the objectives and principles of the UN Charter and resolutions concerning the question of Palestine.

Generalna skupština Ujedinjenih nacija usvojila je Rezoluciju koja zahtijeva hitno uspostavljanje humanitarnog primirja u Gazi, kao i bezuslovno oslobađanje svih taoca.
Bosna i Hercegovina glasala je 'ZA'
Naša država je i kosponzorisala Rezoluciju! pic.twitter.com/hexRpif9tX

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH (@mfa_bih) December 12, 2023

Recalling all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, it noted the call by UN Secretary-General António Guterres under Article 99 of the UN Charter for the first time since he took office in 2017.

The US proposed an amendment to the resolution condemning the Palestinian group Hamas for the attack on Israel on October 7, while Austria proposed a clarification that "hostages are held by Hamas and other groups." Both proposals were rejected.

This followed the US veto on Friday of a UN Security Council draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire to stop the ongoing bloodshed in the Gaza Strip.

UN General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding but carry political weight.