Australia has joined 152 other nations at the United Nations General Assembly voting in favour of a resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in war-torn Gaza. It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a joint statement calling for an end to the “continuous suffering” of Gaza’s citizens.
Tuesday’s resolution passed with 153 out of 193 member states voting in favour. Twenty-three nations abstained while ten countries voted against. Countries that voted against the ceasefire included Israel, Austria, Papua New Guinea and the US.
Following the vote, Saudi Arabia’s UN ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil said that while the resolution is non-binding, it “reflects the international position to call for the enforcement of this resolution.”
“We thank all those who supported the draft resolution that was just adopted by a huge majority,” he said.
The latest ceasefire motion conveys deep apprehension over “the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population.”
“The immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access,” the statement read, adding that Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations “must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law.”
Before the latest vote, Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour said, “I think [the vote] will send a message to Washington and to others.”
“And Israel has to abide by it, and those who are shielding and protecting Israel until now should also look at it this way, and therefore act accordingly.”
UN officials have described the conditions in Gaza as “hell on earth”, as consistent Israeli military offensives and airstrikes have killed more than 18,000 Palestinians and limited access to food, fuel, water and electricity to the Gaza Strip.
Last Friday, a proposed resolution in the UN Security Council failed after the US vetoed the proposal.
Anthony Albanese joined the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Canada this week to release a statement calling for “urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire.”
“We are alarmed at the diminishing safe space for civilians in Gaza,” the statement read, adding that any ceasefire “cannot be one-sided.”
“The price of defeating Hamas cannot be the continuous suffering of all Palestinian civilians. In defending itself, Israel must respect international humanitarian law.”
The joint statement also condemned the Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October, when 1200 were killed and 240 were abducted, describing them as “heinous acts of violence perpetrated in those attacks, including sexual violence.”
“Hamas must release all hostages, stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields and lay down its arms.”
The statement continued, declaring there was “no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza”, and condemning “the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, the re-occupation of Gaza, any reduction in territory and any use of siege or blockade.”
“We condemn rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiment in our countries and around the world and remain firmly committed to combatting prejudice, hatred, and violent extremism,” the statement read.
Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong is scheduled to visit Israel among other Middle East countries next month.