UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution that calls for a humanitarian truce in Gaza.
The resolution calls for "an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities," including protection of civilians and civilian subjects, protection of humanitarian personnel and facilities, and "immediate and unconditional release" of all civilians being illegally held captive.
The resolution was adopted with 120 votes in favor, 14 votes against, and 45 abstentions.
Countries that voted against the draft resolution include Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Fiji, Guatemala, Hungary, Israel, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, and the United States.
An amendment led by Canada did not pass, as it failed to reach the required two-thirds majority. The amendment would have condemned the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the taking of hostages by Hamas and would have called for the release of hostages.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen rejected the resolution. "We reject outright the UN General Assembly despicable call for a ceasefire," Cohen wrote on X, formerly Twitter, adding that Israel intends to eliminate Hamas.
"Israel categorically rejects the General Assembly resolution passed this afternoon that does not even name Hamas -- not once! As if this war started on its own!" Israeli UN ambassador Gilad Erdan posted on his X account.
"Israel will continue to defend itself. Israel will do what must be done to eradicate Hamas' capabilities and bring the hostages home," Erdan wrote.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Friday expressed support for the UN resolution and warned that the Israel-Hamas war is pushing the region to an abyss.
"Adopting the resolution Jordan presented on behalf of Arab countries is a clear stand against Israel's war, against the killing of Palestinians, against war crimes, on the side of international law," Safadi wrote in a post on X.
Pakistani UN Ambassador Munir Akram, in his explanation of vote before the vote, said the Jordanian draft, for the purpose of moderation, does not explicitly condemn Israel for its atrocities in Gaza.
China welcomes the adoption of the resolution, which reflects the strong call of the majority of member states for a ceasefire and an end to the war, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told Xinhua after the resolution was adopted.
China hopes that this resolution will be fully implemented, and China highly appreciates and will continue to firmly support the leading role played by Arab and Islamic countries on the Palestinian issue, Zhang said.
African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Thursday expressed support for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres after he was criticized and called to resign by Israeli officials, for saying the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 "did not justify the collective punishment of Palestinians."
"I fully support the principled position and leadership of Antonio Guterres and the work of the UN in the Occupied Palestinian Territories," Faki wrote on X late Thursday.
The resolution came as fighting in the Gaza Strip intensified. The Israel Defense Forces increased its airstrikes against the Hamas-ruled territory and expanded ground operations in Gaza on Friday night.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced early Saturday morning its fighter jets killed Hamas aerial array chief Asem Abu Rakaba, who was claimed responsible for Hamas' unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), drones, paragliders, aerial detection and aerial defense. Rakaba took part in planning the Hamas surprise attack on Oct. 7 and "was responsible for the drone attacks on IDF posts," IDF said in a social media statement.
Gaza is believed to be on the brink of a humanitarian crisis, with very limited access to food and water, no fuel for electricity, and the "total collapse" of the health system.
According to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza, 7,326 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. More than 1,400 Israelis were killed, the majority of them in the Hamas offensive that occurred on Oct. 7, according to figures released by the Israeli military.
