The UN General Assembly is set to vote on Thursday on a resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional, and lasting ceasefire in Gaza. This follows the UN Security Council’s failure to adopt a similar resolution due to a U.S. Veto.
Diplomats expect the 193-member General Assembly to overwhelmingly approve the resolution, despite Israeli pressure on voting nations. Thursday’s vote also precedes a UN conference next week aimed at advancing international efforts toward a two-state solution.
Last week, the United States used its Veto power in the Security Council to block a resolution demanding the immediate and unconditional lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid access in Gaza.
The resolution also sought the safe and unrestricted distribution of aid, including deliveries facilitated by the UN and humanitarian partners across Gaza. The other 14 Council members voted in favor of the resolution.
These efforts come amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, home to more than two million people. The UN has warned of an impending famine, as only minimal aid has been allowed into the region.
While General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they carry significant weight as reflections of global sentiment on the ongoing genocide. Previous calls from the Assembly to end the genocide in Gaza have gone unheeded. Unlike the Security Council, no nation holds veto power in the General Assembly.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly since March 2, when Israeli forces sealed all border crossings, preventing the entry of food, medicine, aid, and fuel. Meanwhile, the Israeli military offensive has intensified, leading to mass displacement and casualties.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s assault on Gaza has resulted in widespread destruction, forced displacement, and severe shortages of necessities, despite international calls and rulings from the International Court of Justice demanding an end to the attacks.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that the bodies of 54 slain Palestinians, including two found under rubble, and 305 wounded, were transferred to hospitals in the last 24 hours.
The ongoing genocide has also caused severe food shortages, leading to widespread famine and claiming the lives of dozens, including children. The destruction has left entire communities displaced and critical infrastructure in ruins.
Since the resumption of the genocide after Israel violated the ceasefire agreement on March 18, 2025, the Israeli army has killed at least 3,411 people, including 944 children, 132 women, 148 elderly, and 26 journalists, and injured more than 14,879, including many children, women, elderly, medical staff, and journalists.
Since the beginning of this year, and despite the ceasefire that ended on March 18, Israel has killed at least 4,701 Palestinians, including 1,265 children and 322 women, and injured at least 14,879, mostly children, women, and elderly.
Israel has now killed at least 54,981 Palestinians, including more than 16,507 children, 9,803 women, 4,036 elderly, 254 journalists, 1,411 medical staff, 203 UNRWA workers, 113 Civil Defense personnel, and injured at least 126,615, largely children, women, and elderly. Additionally, about 11,160 people remain missing, largely under the rubble of bombarded homes, buildings, and alleys across the destroyed Gaza Strip.
