That’s it for our live coverage of this emergency session for Friday, which saw the adoption of a non-binding Jordanian resolution on Friday afternoon in New York by a large majority of Member States, with 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions.
It marks the first formal response of the United Nations to the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine since the Hamas terror attacks of 7 October, after the Security Council failed on four occasions to reach consensus on any action.
Assembly adopted a major resolution, calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities”; it was proposed by Jordan and backed by over 45 Member States.
An amendment, proposed by Canada and backed by over 35 Member States, including the US, seeking an explicit condemnation of Hamas, did not pass, failing to get two-thirds support.
Countries put forward arguments for and against the amendment, and explained their positions on the adopted resolution.
Earlier in the day, several countries took the floor, reiterating the impact of the crisis on civilians and underscoring the imperative to ensure aid finally flows into the enclave as supplies of food, water and fuel reach critically low levels.
The US declared that after the current crisis is over, “there is no going back to the status quo, as it stood on 6 October”, noting the importance of the two-State solution.
The Emergency Special Session will reconvene on Tuesday, with countries continuing their debate.