India Refuses to Back UN General Assembly Vote on Gaza Ceasefire, India Supported Canada’s Proposal But the Amendment Failed to Pass Majority Test
India Refuses to Back UN General Assembly Vote on Gaza Ceasefire, India Supported Canada’s Proposal But the Amendment Failed to Pass Majority Test
India on Friday abstained in the UN General Assembly from voting on a draft resolution submitted by Jordan, that called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict, as it did not make any mention of the terrorist group Hamas.
The draft resolution also called for unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza strip and was co-sponsored by more than 40 nations including Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia and South Africa.
Besides India, countries that abstained included Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine and the UK.
The resolution titled “Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations” was overwhelmingly adopted with 120 nations voting in its favour, 14 against it and 45 abstaining.
WHAT DID THE RESOLUTION CALL FOR?
- The Jordanian-drafted resolution called for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.
- It also demanded the immediate, continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of essential goods and services to civilians throughout the Gaza Strip, including but not limited to water, food, medical supplies, fuel and electricity.
- The draft resolution stressed the imperative, under international humanitarian law, of ensuring that civilians are not deprived of objects indispensable to their survival.
- It also called for “immediate, full, sustained, safe and unhindered humanitarian access” for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and other United Nations humanitarian agencies and their implementing partners.
- The draft resolution also demanded humanitarian access for the International Committee of the Red Cross and all other humanitarian organisations.
- This should be done by upholding humanitarian principles and delivering urgent assistance to civilians in the Gaza Strip, encouraging the establishment of humanitarian corridors and other initiatives to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians, according to the resolution.
- The resolution demanded that all parties immediately and fully comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, particularly in regard to the protection of civilians and civilian objects, as well as the protection of humanitarian personnel and to facilitate humanitarian access for essential supplies and services to reach all civilians in need in the Gaza Strip.
- It also called for the rescinding of the order by “Israel, the occupying power, for Palestinian civilians and United Nations staff, as well as humanitarian and medical workers, to evacuate all areas in the Gaza Strip north of the Wadi Gaza and relocate to southern Gaza”.
- The resolution called for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians who are being illegally held captive, demanding their safety, well-being and humane treatment in compliance with international law.
India supported Canada’s proposal to amend the resolution to include condemnation of Hamas attack. But the amendment failed to pass majority test.
India on Friday abstained from voting on a resolution in the United Nations that called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The resolution drafted by Jordan also called for unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip but had no mention of Hamas.
Live Updates: Israel-Hamas War
- Gaza is facing a near-total communications blackout, cutting residents across the besieged Palestinian off from the outside world and each other.
- Several international aid groups – including prominent UN agencies – have said they are unable to reach their teams on the ground.
- Israel has upped its bombardment of the Gaza Strip as its military said it was “expanding” ground operations in Gaza.
- Palestinian officials in Gaza have rejected Israel’s claim that Hamas is operating from Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest in the enclave. A former UN special rapporteur tells Al Jazeera that Israel is attempting to “prepare public opinion for the attacks to come”.
- Fighting along the partition between Gaza and Israel has ramped up in at least three locations.
- The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce, with the US and Israel leading 14 countries in voting against the measure.
- The Palestinian death toll passed 7,300
- Nations overwhelmingly vote for humanitarian truce at the UN, as Gazans say they have been ‘left in the dark’
- Iran Issues Warning to US
(With inputs from agencies)