UN votes overwhelmingly to demand humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza

The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on December 13 to demand a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza in a strong demonstration of global support for ending the Israel-Hamas war.

As reported by AP, the vote in the 193-member world body was 153 in favor, 10 against and 23 abstentions, following which ambassadors and other diplomats burst into applause as the final numbers were displayed. The United States and Israel were joined in opposing the resolution by only eight other countries — Austria, Czechia, Guatemala, Liberia, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea and Paraguay. The vote also showed the growing isolation of the United States and Israel.

The vote was organized after the United States earlier vetoed a resolution in the Security Counci, on December 8, demanding a humanitarian cease-fire. Arab and Islamic nations called for an emergency session of the General Assembly to vote on a resolution making the same demand.

While the US remains supportive of Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip, it displayed tougher language than usual, with President Joe Biden warning before the vote that Israel was losing international support because of its “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza.