UN General Assembly backs resolution for immediate cease-fire
Gaza: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has approved a resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza.
The resolution was backed by a wide majority, with 153 of 193 member nations supporting the call to halt the conflict.
The resoution was voted against by the United States, Israel, Austria, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Liberia, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea and Paraguay. There were 23 abstentions, including Germany and the UK.
The UNGA vote came days after the United States vetoed a similar resolution in the UN Security Council.
Arab and Muslim-majority nations had called for an emergency session of the 193-member General Assembly to vote on the resolution.
Unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding. But the assembly’s message reflects world opinion, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, and puts pressure on the US and Israel.
UN vote is ‘historic’ — Palestinian envoy
The Palestinian envoy to the United Nations said the overwhelming vote in favour of a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, in which 153 countries backed a cessation of fighting, marked a “historic day.”
Riyad Mansour said the vote demonstrates that the US could no longer continue “to ignore this massive power” and described the General Assembly vote as a culmination of public sentiment.
“Today was a historic day in terms of the powerful message that was sent from the General Assembly,” said the Palestinian ambassador.
“It is our collective duty to continue in this path until we see an end to this aggression against our people.”
Pope urges ‘immediate’ cease-fire
Pope Francis has once again called for an “immediate” cease-fire in Gaza, saying “there is so much suffering there.”
“I renew my appeal for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire,” the leader of the world’s more than 1.35 billion Catholics said during his Wednesday audience.
He pleaded for an end to suffering for both Israelis and Palestinians.
“May this great suffering for the Israelis and the Palestinians be over.”
The pope also urged the release of all Israeli hostages by the Palestinian militant-Islamist group Hamas, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“Please: No to weapons, yes to peace,” Francis said.
Qatar to set up field hospital in Gaza
Qatar is planning to set up a field hospital in the Gaza Strip where Israel is carrying out a military campaign against the Palestinian militant-Islamist group Hamas.
The 50-bed facility will be established in the town of Rafah, said the Palestinian Red Crescent and the Qatari Red Crescent. It will include an operating room, an intensive care unit, a lab and a pharmacy.
The hospital will be run by a Palestinian Crescent team.
It is not yet clear when the facility will start operating.
Qatar has sent hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Gaza, which is governed by the Palestinian militant group. Hamas runs an office in Qatar’s capital, Doha, and several of its tops leaders also live there.
UN refugee agency chief warns of further displacement
The United Nations refugee chief has warned that the conflict in Gaza could cause more displacement in the wider region.
“A major human catastrophe is unfolding in the Gaza Strip and so far the Security Council has failed to stop the violence,” said Filippo Grandi, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees.
He was addressing the Global Refugees Forum in Geneva, an event hosted every four years.
Israel has been carrying out a military operation in Gaza targeting Hamas since the Palestinian Islamist group raided southern Israel and killed about 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages.
Over 18,400 Palestinians have since been killed, according to the Health Ministry in the Palestinian enclave.
About 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are estimated to have been displaced within the besieged territory, according to UN relief agencies.
