The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a decision demanding an instantaneous cease-fire in Gaza, the discharge of all Hamas-held hostages and full humanitarian entry to 2 million Palestinians, passing 149–12 with 19 abstentions amid impassioned appeals highlighting Gaza’s looming famine as a consequence of Israel’s ongoing blockade.
The decision, drafted by Spain, “strongly condemns any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare.” Speaking earlier than the vote, Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon vehemently opposed the decision. He denied that Israel was utilizing hunger as a weapon of warfare, regardless of damning proof.
Experts and human rights employees say starvation is widespread in Gaza and a few 2 million Palestinians are vulnerable to famine if Israel doesn’t absolutely carry its blockade and halt its navy marketing campaign, which it renewed in March after ending a ceasefire with Hamas.
At the beginning of Thursday’s assembly, Spain’s U.N. Ambassador Héctor José Gómez Hernández urged members to vote in favor of the decision in mild of “the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.” The Palestinian U.N. ambassador, Riyad Mansour, additionally pleaded with U.N. members to vote in favor.
“The actions you take today to stop the killing, displacement and the famine will determine how many more Palestinian children die a horrible death,” he stated. Last week, the U.N. Security Council did not go a decision demanding a cease-fire in Gaza and calling on Israel to carry all restrictions on the supply of help. The United States vetoed the decision as a result of it was not linked to the discharge of the hostages, whereas all 14 different members of the council voted in favor.
Source: www.dailysabah.com