- By Anushka Vats
- Wed, 13 Dec 2023 09:40 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
India on Tuesday voted in favour of the ceasefire resolution in the UNGA's emergency session on the Middle East. This comes as the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution 'Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations' that demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
"India has voted in favour of the resolution just adopted by the General Assembly. The situation that this August body has been deliberating upon has many dimensions. There is the terrorist attack in Israel on 7 October and the concern for the hostages taken at that time," said India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj.
Stating that a terrorist attack occurred in Israel on October 7, she noted that there is an enormous humanitarian crisis and a large-scale loss of civilian lives, especially of women and children.
"There is the issue of observing international humanitarian law in all circumstances. And there is the endeavour to find a peaceful and lasting two-state solution to the longstanding Palestine question," she added.
Out of the total countries present at the UNGA session, 153 voted in favour of the resolution, while 10 countries including the US, Israel, and Austria, voted against and 23 countries, including Argentina, Ukraine and Germany abstained from voting.
The resolution demands an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire," the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and well as "ensuring humanitarian access."
It also demanded all parties to uphold their commitments under humanitarian law and other international legal frameworks pertaining to the protection of people.
India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj
The votes come amid the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza, which entered its third month. Several medics and aid groups have expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. However, Israel, who launched a counter-offensive against Hamas' after its surprise attack on Israel on October 7, has mentioned that it will not stop its military campaign until it destroys Hamas.
(With ANI inputs)