UNITED NATIONS: After the United States’ veto of a Security Council resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, the UN General Assembly is set to meet on Tuesday to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.
The special session has been called by the representatives of Egypt and Mauritania, acting in their capacities as the Chair of the Arab Group and the Chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
According to media reports, the General Assembly, despite its resolutions being nonbinding, may vote on a text for a ceasefire resolution during the meeting. A draft of the proposed resolution closely mirrors the language of the vetoed Security Council resolution, expressing “grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.” The resolution calls for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” and the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”
Significance of UN General Assembly Emergency Session
Last Friday, the United States blocked the Security Council resolution for a ceasefire. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, utilizing the rarely-invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, had called for the Security Council’s attention.
Following the veto, Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern that the Security Council’s “authority and credibility” had been “severely undermined” due to its delayed response to the conflict.
The UN General Assembly had previously, at the end of October, called for an “immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce. Subsequently, the Security Council, two weeks later, broke its silence on Gaza crisis for the first time, calling for “extended pauses and humanitarian corridors.”
