The United Nations General Assembly on Friday approved a non-binding resolution submitted by Arab countries to call for an “immediate, lasting and sustained humanitarian truce” in the Gaza Strip.

The resolution received 120 votes in favor, 45 abstentions and 14 votes against, including Israel, the United States, Guatemala, Hungary, Croatia, Austria, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Marshall Islands , Tonga, Czech Republic, Micronesia, Fiji and Nauru.

Previously, the amendment presented by the United States and Canada – which mentioned the hostages taken by Hamas – was rejected by 88 votes for, 55 against and 23 abstentions, without obtaining the two-thirds majority required by the Assembly . .

Although the result of the vote is not binding, it is generally seen as having significant political weight in showing the position of the international community as a whole, particularly at a time when Israel has intensified its bombing of the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s permanent representative to the UN, Gilad Erdan, called the vote a “disgrace” and assured that this “spectacle proves that the UN, tragically, is committed not to prevention but to assurance.” the “atrocities” perpetrated by Hamas. .

For his part, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen “categorically” rejected the “despicable” resolution. “Israel intends to eliminate Hamas just like the world did with the Nazis and ISIS,” he said on the social network X, formerly Twitter.

This comes after the UN Security Council failed to approve a resolution on the situation in the Middle East after two attempts by Russia, one by the United States and another by Brazil.

Palestinian presidency appreciates support from ‘majority of the world’

The spokesperson for the Palestinian president, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, thanked the states that voted in favor of the resolution which, as he indicated, “ratifies the position of the majority of the world in favor of the Palestinian people and that the Palestinian cause still enjoys high status around the world.

He explained that “the fact that 120 countries support the resolution means that the world confirms its rejection of the aggression against our peoples, their displacement from their lands and the creation of a new catastrophe”, according to the WAFA agency. .

“The world must take note of the results of the vote and treat them seriously,” he said, adding that “the vote in favor of the vast majority confirmed to the 14 countries that voted against that the world rejects the policy of Two weights, two measures”. “.

The representative confirmed that “the majority of countries in the world still adopt the position of Palestinian leaders who call for permanent and comprehensive peace by ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.” and added that “this will only be possible through peaceful remedies, based on United Nations resolutions, in accordance with international law and on the basis of a two-state solution.”