UN Adopts Two Resolutions, Palestinian Ambassador: We Need Ceasefire And UNRWA

Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour. (Source: UN News)

JAKARTA - Palestinian diplomats to the United Nations are grateful for the adoption of two resolutions regarding support for the UN aid agency and the immediate ceasefire in Gaza, saying both things are needed by the Palestinian people today.

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) agreed on a resolution urging an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a resolution supporting the UN Aid Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) for a follow-up session of the 10th emergency special session, following a US veto in a resolution collection on the Gaza Strip conflict, Palestine at the UN Security Council last November, quoted from the UN News website December 12.

Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, appreciated the adoption, hoping the ceasefire would begin soon.

"What we need is a ceasefire and UNRWA to carry out the humanitarian aid our people need in Gaza, including northern Gaza," he said.

If the resolution adopted by the Security Council last December had been carried out a year ago, "we could save the lives of thousands of people," he said, pointing out the abuse of veto rights had led the Security Council to delay.

He added that the General Assembly can now "lock on the door of the Security Council" and say "it's time for you to implement your resolution."

As previously reported, the UN General Assembly succeeded in adopting two resolutions with a majority vote, first asking Israel to lift the ban on UNRWA operations, secondly urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and full access to humanitarian aid in the Palestinian enclave.

The first resolution address the draft law approved by the Israeli Parliament Knesset on October 28 which prohibits UNRWA from operating in occupied Israeli and Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank.

As many as 159 countries support this resolution, 11 countries abstain and 9 countries oppose. Among the opposing countries are the United States, Israel and Paraguay.

The next resolution calls for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, calling for the release of all hostages immediately and unconditionally.

As many as 158 countries have declared their support for the resolution, 13 countries have declared abstention and nine countries are against it. Among the opposing countries are the United States, Israel and Paraguay.