In a historic session on December 11, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) endorsed two critical resolutions aimed at addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reinforcing the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The resolutions, passed by an overwhelming majority of UN member states, reflect global concern over the escalating violence in Gaza and the plight of Palestinian refugees.
UNRWA Mandate Extended with Global Support
The first resolution, which reaffirms the UNRWA’s mandate, was supported by 159 member states. The resolution calls for continued, vital assistance to more than six million Palestinian refugees across the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. This includes the delivery of essential humanitarian services such as food, healthcare, and education.
The resolution also condemned recent Israeli legislative actions that have targeted the activities of UNRWA, including two bills passed by the Israeli Knesset that seek to restrict the Agency’s operations. The UNGA resolution urged Israel to adhere to its international legal obligations as an occupying power, including ensuring the safety and security of UNRWA personnel. The conflict in Gaza has taken a devastating toll on humanitarian workers, with 254 UNRWA staff members reported killed since the onset of the Israeli military operation in Gaza.
Call for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Access in Gaza
The second resolution, which echoes a draft resolution previously vetoed by the United States in the UN Security Council, calls for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. With 158 countries voting in favor, the resolution emphasizes the urgent need for the release of hostages, full access for humanitarian aid to those in need, and the protection of civilians. It also reaffirmed the international community’s commitment to a two-state solution, with the establishment of the State of Palestine within internationally recognized borders.
The resolution highlights the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where tens of thousands of civilians have been killed or injured, and millions remain trapped amid the ongoing conflict. The call for unhindered access to aid and the protection of civilians resonates with the growing international demand for a ceasefire and an end to the violence.
Global Division and U.S. Opposition
While the resolutions received overwhelming support from a broad spectrum of the international community, only seven countries voted against them. The United States and Israel, both staunch allies, were joined by a handful of other nations, including Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and Tonga, in opposing the resolutions. This marks the latest in a series of contentious votes at the UN, where the U.S. has repeatedly used its veto power in the Security Council to block efforts to bring an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza.
The U.S. position remains one of opposition to an immediate ceasefire, citing concerns over Hamas and the need to neutralize the group’s military capabilities. However, the international consensus, reflected in the overwhelming votes in favor of both resolutions, underscores a growing frustration with Washington’s stance and the impasse in the Security Council.
Russian Delegation Responds: Reaffirming the Need for International Action
The Russian delegation to the UN strongly supported both resolutions, highlighting the UNGA’s role as the primary forum for action in the absence of consensus in the UN Security Council. Russian officials reiterated that the UN General Assembly, with its broad membership and moral imperative, was taking the necessary steps to address the escalating violence and provide urgent humanitarian assistance.
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, remarked on the “moral imperative” of the resolutions, stressing that the UN General Assembly was showing leadership in responding to the crisis in Gaza. Zakharova pointed out that the UN Security Council, tasked with maintaining international peace and security, had been paralyzed by the United States’ repeated vetoes on resolutions that would halt the bloodshed and provide humanitarian relief.
“While the United States continues to block meaningful action in the Security Council, the UN General Assembly is stepping in to fulfill its responsibility,” Zakharova said. “The global community has made its voice heard, and we stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine.”
A Moment of Global Unity Amidst Division
The overwhelming support for the two resolutions, despite opposition from a small but influential group of nations, is seen as a sign of growing international unity on the Palestinian issue. Many countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America have voiced deep concern over the ongoing violence in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis it has triggered. The resolutions are seen as a call for the international community to take a more proactive role in ending the conflict and ensuring the protection of Palestinian civilians.
The resolutions’ passage marks a significant diplomatic moment for the Palestinian cause, as they send a strong message of support for Palestinian refugees and the broader aspirations of the Palestinian people. The call for a ceasefire and humanitarian access further highlights the urgency of ending the violence and providing relief to those suffering in Gaza.
Next Steps: Continued International Pressure
The passage of these resolutions in the UN General Assembly comes as the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. International pressure on the U.S. and Israel to end the violence and allow for a ceasefire is expected to increase in the coming weeks. As the conflict enters its second year, the international community will continue to focus on finding diplomatic solutions that address both the immediate humanitarian crisis and the long-term political challenges in the region.
While the resolutions are non-binding, they represent a significant step toward global action on Palestine and a growing recognition of the need for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the world watches, the calls for a just and lasting peace grow louder, and the pressure mounts for international actors to act in the name of human rights, security, and justice for all.