In a pivotal move, India cast its vote in favor of a groundbreaking draft resolution at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, calling for an urgent humanitarian ceasefire amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The resolution, backed by several nations including Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Palestine, emphasized the unconditional release of all hostages.
The historic resolution received widespread support, with India joining the majority in voting for the immediate ceasefire. However, ten countries, including the United States and Israel, opposed it, while 23 abstained from voting.
India Supports Amendment
The draft resolution, which did not explicitly mention Hamas, prompted the United States, a key ally of Israel, to propose an amendment condemning “heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas” and the taking of hostages. India notably supported this amendment.
Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian envoy to the United Nations, hailed the General Assembly’s decision as a “historic day,” emphasizing the powerful message sent by the international community.
“India has voted in favour of the resolution just adopted by the General Assembly. The situation that this August body has been deliberating upon has many dimensions.” Ruchira Kamboj, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, emphasized the multifaceted nature of the situation. “The situation that this August body has been deliberating upon has many dimensions,” she stated. Highlighting the terrorist attack in Israel on October 7 and the subsequent humanitarian crisis with a significant loss of civilian lives, especially among women and children, Kamboj underscored the importance of observing international humanitarian law.
Kamboj welcomed the unity shown by the international community in addressing the grave implications of the conflict. “Our challenge, in this extraordinarily difficult time, is to strike the right balance,” she remarked. The gravity and complexity of the situation were further emphasized by the invocation of Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations by the Secretary-General.
“We, therefore, welcome the fact that the international community unity has been able to find common ground to address the multiple challenges facing the region right now,” Kamboj concluded.
Notably, this marks a shift from India’s previous stance when it abstained from a similar resolution in October, although the country had then called for unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip.
Escalation Continues: Palestinians Flee as Israel-Hamas Conflict Enters Third Month
The UN General Assembly’s decision follows the recent veto by the United States of a comparable resolution in the UN Security Council. The UNSC resolution, backed by over 90 member states and proposed by the United Arab Emirates, received 13 favorable votes, with the United Kingdom abstaining.
Israel-Hamas Conflict
The conflict, ignited by a sensational land-sea-air assault by Hamas on October 7, has resulted in over 1,200 Israeli casualties, predominantly civilians. In retaliation, Israel conducted airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, a Hamas stronghold, claiming over 18,000 lives, with 70% reported to be women and children in the densely populated Palestinian enclave.