The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly backed a resolution demanding that Israel open unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, stop attacking UN facilities, and comply with international law in line with its obligations as an occupying power.

The vote on Friday followed October’s advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which outlined Israel’s responsibilities under both the UN Charter and humanitarian law.

The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly backed a resolution demanding that Israel open unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, stop attacking UN facilities, and comply with international law in line with its obligations as an occupying power.

The vote on Friday followed October’s advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which outlined Israel’s responsibilities under both the UN Charter and humanitarian law.

She pointed to recent attacks that underscored the urgency of the Court’s findings, including UN chief Antonio Guterres’s condemnation of Israel’s “unauthorised entry” into UNRWA’s Sheikh Jarrah compound. “As stated by the secretary-general, this is in clear violation of Israel’s obligations to respect the inviolability of United Nations premises,” she said.US rejects vote

Speaking before the vote, US envoy Jeff Bartos rejected the resolution, claiming it “exemplifies how even following President [Donald] Trump’s landmark peace agreement and the historic passage of Security Council resolution 2803, the General Assembly continues its decades-long pattern of unfairly targeting Israel.”

Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the UN Agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, meanwhile, welcomed the outcome, saying it offered “a strong endorsement” of the ICJ’s finding that allegations of Hamas infiltration inside the agency “are not substantiated”, nor are claims that UNRWA lacks neutrality.

“This vote is an important sign of support for UNRWA from the overwhelming majority of the international community,” he said.

Palestinian National Council Speaker Rouhi Fattouh also praised the adoption, saying the wide margin reflected “a firm international position supporting UNRWA and renewing recognition of its legal mandate and its key role in protecting Palestinian refugees”.

He warned of “a dangerous escalation and increase in the level of occupation crimes and ethnic cleansing, and a worsening of the humanitarian situation inside the occupied Palestinian territory.”

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