UNITED NATIONS: The UN General Assembly will vote Wednesday on a draft resolution seeking an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, a symbolic gesture after the US vetoed a similar action in the UN Security Council.
The non-binding resolution also demands “immediate access” to widespread humanitarian aid for the citizens of Gaza, who have been subjected to more than a year of war with Israel, especially in the besieged north of the territory.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed at least 44,786 people, mostly civilians, according to data from the Gaza health ministry that is considered reliable by the UN.
‘Bleeding heart of Palestine’
“Gaza today is the bleeding heart of Palestine,” Palestinian UN ambassador Riyad Mansour said last week during the Assembly’s first debate on the resolution.
“The images of our children burning in tents, with no food in their bellies and no hopes and no horizon for the future, and after having endured pain and loss for more than a year, should haunt the conscience of the world and prompt action to end this nightmare,” he continued, calling for an end to the “impunity.’
An earlier draft seen by AFP aimed to establish an international mechanism to help investigate and prosecute those who are responsible for violating international law against the Palestinians. But that language was not included in the draft resolution that will be put to a vote.
A second draft resolution up for a vote on Wednesday will call on Israel to respect the mandate of UNRWA and allow it to continue its “safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance” operations after Israel voted to ban it.
The ban, which is due to take effect on January 28, sparked global condemnation, including from key Israeli backer the United States.
