UN General Assembly adopts resolutions demanding immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, and affirming full support for UNRWA
General Assembly Adopts Resolutions Demanding Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza and that Israel Allow UN Palestine Refugee Agency (UNRWA) to Carry Out Aid Operations Unrestricted
(UN PRESS) 11 December 2024 – The General Assembly today demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, reiterated its demand for the immediate release of all hostages and demanded that Israel allow the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to proceed with its aid operations without restriction in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Resuming its tenth emergency special session (for background, see Press Release GA/12663), the 193-member body continued its consideration of “Illegal Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory”, adopting by a recorded vote two resolutions on the matter.
Demand for ceasefire in Gaza
By terms of the first text, titled “Demand for ceasefire in Gaza” (document A/ES-10/L.33), adopted with 158 votes in favour to 9 against (Argentina, Czechia, Hungary, Israel, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, United States), with 13 abstentions, the Assembly demanded immediate access by the civilian population in the Gaza Strip to basic humanitarian aid, while rejecting any effort to starve Palestinians and demanding the facilitation of full, rapid, safe and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza. Underscoring that UNRWA remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza, the Assembly rejected actions that undermine the Agency’s mandate.
The Assembly demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, to be respected by all parties" and further reiterated its demands for "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages" and that "the parties fully comply with their obligations under international law in relation to persons they detain, including by releasing all those arbitrarily detained and all human remains."
The Assembly also reiterated its unwavering commitment to the vision of a two-State solution, with Gaza as part of the Palestinian State, and where two democratic States, Palestine and Israel, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders. The Assembly rejected any attempt at demographic or territorial change in Gaza , and stressed the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.
Support for the mandate of UNRWA
The Assembly also adopted a text titled “Support for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East” (document A/ES-10/L.32) — with 159 votes in favour to 9 against (Argentina, Israel, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, United States), with 11 abstentions — calling on the Israeli Government to abide by its international obligations.
At a time of heightened conflict and instability in the Middle East, the Agency continues to play an indispensable role in alleviating the plight for over 6 million Palestine refugees, it stressed, urging immediate efforts to address the agency’s financial and operational crises.
The Assembly expressed deep concern about the continuing imposition of restrictions on the movement and access of Agency personnel, vehicles, and goods, and also about attempts to discredit the Agency or to undermine and terminate its operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, despite UNRWA's proven operational capacity, record of effective provision of humanitarian and development assistance and consistent implementation of its mandate in accordance with relevant resolutions and its regulatory framework, even under the most difficult circumstances.
The Assembly deplored the legislation adopted by the Israeli Knesset on 28 October 2024, and called upon the Israeli Government to abide by its international obligations, respect the privileges and immunities of the Agency and uphold its responsibility to allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip, including the provision of sorely needed basic services to the civilian population.
The Assembly strongly warned against any attempts to dismantle or diminish the operations and mandate of the Agency, recognizing that any interruption or suspension of its work would have severe humanitarian consequences for millions of Palestine refugees who depend on the Agency’s services and also implications for the region.