An overwhelming majority of the 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) have voted in favor of a resolution urging a humanitarian truce in Gaza’s devastated region.
With 153 nations voting in favor, 23 abstaining, and 10 voting against—including the US and Israel—the resolution was approved. The resolution represents the consensus of the world even if it is not legally enforceable.
The vote comes as worldwide pressure mounts on Israel to cease its months-long assault on Gaza, which has killed over 18,000 Palestinians, the vast majority of whom are women and children. More than 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million citizens have been uprooted as well.
Relentless air assaults and an Israeli siege have generated humanitarian conditions in Palestinian territory that have been described by UN authorities as “hell on Earth.”
The Israeli military offensive has severely limited Gaza’s access to food, gasoline, water, and electricity.
In remarks, however, Biden sharpened his criticism of the US ally, saying that Israel was losing international support due to “indiscriminate bombing” in Gaza.
The US, which has strongly criticised Russia for similar actions in Ukraine, has been accused of employing a double standard on human rights.
