The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on Tuesday, December 12, calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is “catastrophic.” This non-binding text was adopted with 153 votes in favour, 10 against (including Israel and the United States) and 23 abstentions. An American amendment condemning the “terrible Hamas terrorist attacks” on October 7 was defeated. This special session of the General Assembly was requested by Arab countries after the US vetoed a draft Security Council resolution on Friday that called for the same “immediate humanitarian ceasefire.” Follow our live stream.
Joe Biden warns Benjamin Netanyahu. The US president publicly criticized the Israeli government for its opposition to a “two-state solution” and warned of an erosion of global public support: “They are losing that support because of the indiscriminate bombings.” “He's a good friend, but he has to change,” he added.
Joint statement by Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In a rare joint statement on Wednesday, the prime ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand said they were “concerned about the ever-shrinking safe space for civilians in Gaza.” “The price of defeating Hamas cannot be the continued suffering of all Palestinian civilians,” they added.
Gaza is experiencing “hell on earth”. In the Gaza Strip, where 85% of the 2.4 million residents have been displaced and entire neighborhoods have been destroyed by bombings, Palestinians are experiencing “hell on earth,” said the agency's director for the Gaza Strip. United Nations for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini.