UN General Assembly to Vote on Gaza Ceasefire, Hostage Release, and Aid Access
The UN General Assembly is set to vote on a resolution demanding an immediate Gaza ceasefire, release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the opening of all Israeli border crossings for humanitarian aid. The Spanish-drafted resolution condemns using civilian starvation as a warfare method. Unlike Security Council resolutions, this General Assembly vote is not legally binding but reflects world opinion and references a March 28 ICJ order for Israel to open more aid crossings.
Unpacked:
The Security Council failed to adopt a similar ceasefire resolution due to a U.S. veto. Unlike the Security Council, General Assembly resolutions cannot be blocked by vetoes, so member states are using this forum to express global opinion despite the resolution’s non-binding nature.
While not legally enforceable, General Assembly resolutions reflect global sentiment and can increase diplomatic pressure on parties involved. They influence international opinion and may encourage renewed negotiations or humanitarian action, but they do not compel states to comply.
The U.S. argued that the draft resolution would undermine ongoing U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire and said that the resolution as presented was not aligned with its approach to resolving the conflict.
Gaza faces a worsening humanitarian crisis with warnings of impending famine. Minimal aid is entering the region, and there have been significant casualties and destruction, with tens of thousands killed and injured, especially among children, women, and the elderly.