The United Nations General Assembly has decisively voted to call for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in Gaza, along with the prompt release of all hostages.
This truce demand, included in a resolution that received 158 votes in favor, marks an escalation from the 193-member body, which in October of the previous year had called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the region, followed by a demand two months later.
While UN General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, they hold significant political influence and reflect a global consensus regarding the conflict.
The United States, Israel, and seven other nations voted against this resolution, while 13 countries chose to abstain.
The resolution urges Israel to respect UNRWA’s mandate and “allow its operations to continue without obstruction or limitation.”
In the recent vote, the US, Israel, and seven other nations continued to oppose the resolution, with 11 countries abstaining.
Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 38 individuals in Gaza, according to medical personnel.
Israeli air assaults across Gaza have claimed the lives of at least 38 Palestinians, with the majority occurring during a strike on a residence in Beit Lahiya, as reported by medics.
Health officials stated that at least 22 casualties from the Beit Lahiya attack included women and children, with relatives sharing the names of the deceased on social media platforms.
The multi-storey building, which was struck, housed more than 30 residents, and several family members remain unaccounted for as rescue efforts are ongoing, according to the Palestinian WAFA news agency.
The Israeli military confirmed that the strike was aimed at Hamas militants near the Kamal Adwan Hospital, situated between Beit Lahiya and Jabalia, regions that have been under Israeli siege for two months.
The military stated it is reviewing the incident but labeled the casualty figures provided by Palestinian medics and media as “inaccurate” and inconsistent with the army’s accounts.
In the vicinity of Beit Hanoun, also under siege, medics reported that an Israeli airstrike resulted in multiple casualties, although specific numbers were not disclosed.
Rescue workers indicated that several individuals may be trapped under the debris.
A woman provides food for her child amid the rubble of devastated buildings in Khan Younis.
Earlier, an Israeli strike on a home in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza resulted in at least seven fatalities and many injuries, according to medical reports.
The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service and medical personnel reported that nine additional individuals were killed across three separate Israeli airstrikes targeting two residences and a gathering in Gaza City, among them journalist Eman Al-Shanti, her spouse, and three of their children.
According to the Palestinian Union of Journalists, Ms. Al-Shanti is the 193rd journalist to lose her life due to Israeli actions since the onset of the conflict in October 2023.
A woman is seen carrying her cat as displaced individuals from Beit Lahiya reach northern Gaza.
Elsewhere, the Israeli military reported that two rockets were launched from central Gaza towards Israel but fell into empty areas without causing any injuries.
This missile launch underscores the capacity of militants in the region to continue offensive operations despite 14 months of intense Israeli aerial and ground assaults.
In light of the rocket fire from the region, Israel’s military has instructed residents in the Al-Maghazi camp in central Gaza to evacuate.
Residents were urged to move towards a designated humanitarian zone near the Mediterranean coastline.
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Palestinian and UN officials reported that there are no secure locations within the extensively damaged region.
Israel maintains that civilian casualties are a consequence of militants operating among the populace, a claim that Hamas disputes.
Combat operations have primarily concentrated on the densely populated northern regions, with Israeli armored forces active in Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya, and Jabalia since October.
Israel asserts that its military efforts are aimed at preventing Hamas militants from regrouping and launching further attacks from these locations.
However, Palestinian officials and local residents accuse Israel of attempting to depopulate the area to establish a buffer zone along the northern segment of the coastal territory, a claim that Israel denies.
