On December 11, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly discussed a non-binding resolution urging an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution also demands the immediate release of all hostages and access to humanitarian aid for civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.
The conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, following an unprecedented attack by Hamas, resulting in over 1,200 fatalities, primarily among civilians, according to AFP's count based on official figures. During this attack, Hamas took 251 individuals hostage, of whom 96 remain in Gaza.
Israeli military operations in response have reportedly killed at least 44,786 individuals, mostly civilians, as per data from the health ministry in Gaza, which the UN has deemed reliable.
Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, described Gaza as the 'bleeding heart of Palestine' during the assembly debate, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation faced by children in the region.
In contrast, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon criticized the resolution, emphasizing the need to dismantle what he termed 'infrastructure of hatred' linked to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which Israel accuses of complicity in the October 7 attacks.
The resolution also requests UN Secretary-General António Guterres to propose ways for the UN to facilitate accountability for violations of international law against Palestinians. A prior draft aimed to establish an international mechanism for investigating such violations, but this language was omitted from the current resolution.
A second resolution, set for a vote on Wednesday, will call on Israel to respect UNRWA's mandate and allow safe humanitarian operations, following Israel's parliamentary approval to prohibit UNRWA activities in Israeli territory, effective January 28.
This prohibition has drawn global condemnation, including from the United States, a key ally of Israel.