What's happened
On December 12, 2024, Australia supported a UN resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas. The resolution passed with overwhelming support, reflecting a significant shift in international sentiment regarding the ongoing conflict.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Amy Hall from SBS, Australia supported a UN resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which passed with 158 votes in favor. Hall notes that this resolution escalates previous calls for a humanitarian truce made in late 2023. In contrast, the South China Morning Post highlights the US and Israel's opposition, with US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood criticizing the resolution for rewarding Hamas and failing to address the hostage situation. The Independent's Edith M. Lederer emphasizes the political weight of the resolution, despite its non-binding nature, reflecting a shift in global opinion following the US veto of a similar Security Council resolution. AP News reiterates the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with over 44,000 casualties reported, underscoring the urgency of the ceasefire demand.
How we got here
The UN General Assembly's recent resolution marks an escalation in calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, following a humanitarian truce demand made in late 2023. The conflict intensified after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to significant casualties on both sides.
Common question
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What is the UN General Assembly's resolution on the Gaza conflict?
On December 11, 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted a significant resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This resolution reflects a growing global consensus on the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Below, we explore key questions surrounding this resolution and its implications.
More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The United Nations General Assembly is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, serving as the main deliberative, policy-making, and representative organ of the UN.
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The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs, are an ethnonational group comprising the modern descendants of the peoples who have lived in Palestine continuously over the centuries and who today are largely culturally and
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Riyad H. Mansour is a Palestinian-American diplomat and since 2005 has been the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations.
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The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East is a UN agency that supports the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees.