General Assembly members overwhelmingly approved resolutions on Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expressing support for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees which Israel has moved to ban.

General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, although they reflect world opinion.

Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support for both resolutions, saying the votes “reflect the resolve and the determination of the international community”.

The votes in the 193-nation world body were 158-9, with 13 abstentions, to demand a ceasefire now and 159-9 in support of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), with 11 abstentions.

The votes ended two days of speeches overwhelmingly calling for an end to the 14-month war between Israel and the militant Hamas group and demanding access throughout Gaza to address the growing humanitarian catastrophe.

‘Israel, USA, Argentina amongst those voting against ceasefire’

Israel and its close ally the United States, were in the minority speaking and voting against the resolutions.

Other opposing both resolutions included Argentina, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay and Tonga.

The Palestinians and their supporters went to the General Assembly after the US vetoed a Security Council resolution on November 20 demanding an immediate Gaza ceasefire.

It was supported by the council’s 14 other members but the US objected that it was not linked to an immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas militants during their attack on Israel on October 7 2023, which triggered the war.

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