The United Nations General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza. It also demanded a “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped inside the enclave, as news reports suggest Israel has expanded ground operations and intensified its bombing campaign.
India was among the 45 countries which abstained from voting on the resolution in the United Nations. The Jordan-drafted resolution also called for unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip but made no mention of Hamas. Canada proposed an amendment that a paragraph condemning the ‘terrorist attacks by Hamas’ be inserted. India voted in favour of Canada’s proposed amendment along with 87 other nations. But it could not be adopted as it did not have a two-third majority.
The resolution titled ‘Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations’ was adopted with 120 nations voting in its favour, 14 against it and 45 abstaining. India, Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine and the UK abstained from voting.
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According to the UN news, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Yojna Patel said the 7 October terror attacks are shocking, calling for the immediate release of the hostages. “Terrorism is a malignancy and knows no borders, nationality, or race. The world should not buy into any justification of terror acts. Let us keep aside differences, unite and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism,” said Patel.
Patel also addressed the continuing crisis of casualties in Gaza on civilians, especially women and children, while welcoming ongoing efforts and reiterating support for the two-State solution.
“India is deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation and astounding loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict. The escalation of hostilities in the region will only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. It is necessary for all parties to display the utmost responsibility. India has always supported a negotiated Two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine issue leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side-by-side in peace with Israel,” added India’s Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador.
Patel urged the parties to de-escalate the violence and work towards resuming substantial peace negotiations.
