We shall now begin the voting process.
The UN General Assembly succeeded where the Security Council didn't,
passing a resolution that demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for
Gaza and the release of all captives.
153 member states voted in favor,
21 more than the last time the assembly called for
a humanitarian truce.
The resolution is very simple,
clear and explicit, but not clear enough for the United
States,
who, along with Israel, was one of the ten countries
who voted against.
We support speaking out with one voice to condemn Hamas
for his terrorist actions on October 7th.
Why is that so hard?
To say unequivocally that murdering babies and gunning down parents
in front of their children is horrific.
No country has veto power in the General Assembly,
and many speakers noted the lives of thousands of innocent
civilians and the credibility of the United Nations was at
stake right now.
What we are seeing is an onslaught on civilians.
The breakdown of humanitarian systems.
And profound disrespect for both international law.
And international humanitarian law Only a Security Council resolution is
considered binding under international law,
but a General Assembly resolution carries political weight,
and the Arab and Islamic nations who spearheaded this effort
are vowing to use the momentum to keep pushing for
a ceasefire.
This draft resolution demands.
An immediate humanitarian ceasefire, let me repeat,
demands the language of demands.
It has the power. Of implementation.
It does not call for Oregon urges,
It demands. And we will not rest until we see
compliance,
he promised. Yet another ceasefire resolution to that effect will
be put to a vote in the Security Council,
perhaps as soon as this week.
Kristen Salumi, Al Jazeera, the United Nations.