Table of Contents
This Post Is Recently Updated on Oct 29, 2023 @ 8:58 am by TBB Desk
1. India’s Stance in UNGA on Israel-Hamas Conflict
India abstained during a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution advocating an immediate humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas, which would end hostilities and ensure uninterrupted humanitarian access to the Gaza strip.
2. Israel’s Counter-Offensive Against Hamas
Following a major attack by Hamas on October 7 that resulted in over 1,400 casualties, Israel initiated a significant counter-offensive against the militant group.
3. Voting Dynamics at the UNGA
The resolution, presented by Jordan and backed by more than 40 countries, was titled “Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations.” Of the 193 UNGA members, 120 voted in favor, 14 opposed, and 45, including India, abstained.
4. Omission of Hamas in the Resolution
The US criticized the Jordanian-drafted resolution for not naming Hamas. Before the UNGA vote, Canada and the US co-sponsored an amendment to the resolution. This amendment sought to explicitly condemn Hamas for its terrorist attacks from October 7, 2023, and called for the release of hostages. However, this amendment did not pass as it lacked the necessary two-thirds majority.
5. Key Points of the Resolution
The resolution urged an immediate, lasting truce, ensuring continuous provision of essential goods to Gaza’s civilians, including water, food, and medical supplies. It stressed the importance of not depriving civilians of necessary resources and promoted unhindered humanitarian access by various UN and non-UN humanitarian organizations. It also emphasized the need to establish humanitarian corridors to facilitate aid delivery.
6. US Response to the Resolution
US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the resolution for not mentioning Hamas and the term “hostage.” She criticized the resolution for overlooking the individuals held hostage by Hamas and other groups, terming these oversights as “omissions of evil.”
7. Demands and Provisions of the Resolution
The resolution demanded compliance with international humanitarian and human rights laws, especially concerning the protection of civilians. It further called for Israel to revoke its order instructing Palestinian civilians and UN staff to evacuate certain areas of the Gaza Strip and move to southern Gaza. The resolution also called for the immediate release of all civilians unlawfully held captive, ensuring their safety and treatment in line with international standards.
