UN General Assembly Calls for Ceasefire in Gaza and Immediate Release of All Hostages

On Wednesday, December 21, the United Nations General Assembly called for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, as well as the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas. The resolution was passed with 158 votes in favor. The United States, Israel, and seven other countries voted against the ceasefire resolution, while 13 countries abstained. This global body also expressed its support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and, in another resolution, expressed regret with 159 votes in favor regarding a new law that bans UNRWA operations in Israel and the Palestinian territories. The General Assembly urged Israel to respect UNRWA's directives and allow the agency to continue its operations without obstruction or limitation in the Palestinian territories. The United States, Israel, and seven other countries voted against this resolution, while 11 countries abstained. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry political weight and reflect global perspectives on the conflict. The Israeli parliament approved a proposal on Monday, October 29, to ban the operations of the UNRWA office, recognizing it as a terrorist entity, with activities banned across Israel and Palestinian territories starting from the new calendar year. Israeli entities will not be allowed any contact with this UN agency. Over the past year, Israel has repeatedly accused UNRWA and its staff of collaborating with Hamas militants and being involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and hundreds of hostages, marking the beginning of a year-long conflict between the Israeli army and militants supported by the Islamic Republic.