The UN General Assembly Calls for an Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza: Ukraine’s Position and Worldwide Reactions
On Thursday, October 26, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip. Initiated by the Spanish delegation, the document once again signals the international community’s recognition of the urgent need to stop the bloodshed and establish a humanitarian corridor for a peaceful resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. A total of 149 countries voted in favor of the resolution, representing an absolute majority of Assembly members. Opponents—still quite cautious in their positions—were 12 delegations, including the United States, Israel, Argentina, and Hungary. Additionally, delegations from Albania, Romania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic abstained from voting. Another 19 countries chose to abstain from expressing a position openly. Overall, Ukraine supported the resolution, expressing solidarity with international efforts aimed at stopping the fighting in Gaza. This aligns with the general stance of most European countries, with the exception of Hungary, which opposed the document. At the same time, Ukrainian diplomats, along with colleagues from other nations, emphasize the necessity of a swift and unconditional ceasefire to save lives and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. The resolution, initiated by Spain, calls for the urgent withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas militants. It also demands the lifting of the blockade and the facilitation of unimpeded humanitarian aid to the civilian population, which finds itself in a hopeless situation. The document strongly condemns the use of starvation as a method of warfare, as well as the ban on delivering essential items that could alleviate human suffering in the region. Nevertheless, it should be noted that this UN General Assembly resolution is non-binding, as such documents are of a recommendatory nature. This reflects the essential character of international organizations, where diplomatic influence and negotiations carry more weight than legal obligations. An important recent development was the U.S. veto of a similar Security Council resolution last week, which also called for a ceasefire and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Washington justified its position by arguing that the resolution could undermine U.S. efforts to mediate a ceasefire and stabilize the situation. This move sparked sharp criticism from many UN member states and international civil society organizations, emphasizing the urgent need to halt the humanitarian crisis in the region. Regarding Israel’s response, UN Ambassador Dani Danon condemned Hamas’s recent actions, including the killing of at least five aid workers. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the General Assembly’s stance on the conflict, stating it was insufficiently tough and not adequately focused on protecting Israeli interests. This again highlights the divergent views of the countries involved in the diplomatic process on this crisis. Overall, in recent months, the Gaza conflict remains one of the primary challenges for global diplomacy. The UN General Assembly resolution serves as a reminder that, even in the absence of legal obligations, the international community supports immediate and unconditional measures to save lives and bring peace. Ukraine, which has traditionally advocated for diplomatic solutions and humanity in conflicts, once again calls for cooperation and collective efforts to find long-term solutions that promote regional stabilization and prevent new humanitarian disasters.