By:Arsalan Sahil Soomro.
An armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinians has been taking place in Gaza since Oct 07, 2023. Around 300 Palestinians have died each day on average since the conflict began, about 70% of those killed are women and children, excluding the seven-day ceasefire, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Keeping in view such a violent act which has been ongoing for the last 2 months, the move came in response after the US again vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza Arab and Islamic nations called for an emergency session of the 193-member General Assembly to vote on a resolution demanding a humanitarian ceasefire. Section-A of Resolution 377A (V), also known as “Uniting for Peace”, is aimed at resolving a situation in which the UN “fails to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security
because of lack of understanding of the permanent members”. The resolution is brief and balanced, calling not just for an immediate ceasefire but also for the release of hostages and the protection of civilians as per international law. The final vote during the General Assembly’s emergency special session in New York was 153-10 with 23 abstentions. Even after Resolution 377A (V) called for an emergency meeting of the UN General Assembly on Dec 12, 2023, there were no fruitful consequences regarding the ceasefire. Israel’s prime minister said on Dec 13 that anyone thinking Israel will soon stop the war against Hamas is “not connected to reality.” War will continue until Hamas is eliminated. The UNGA can never be a full substitute for the UNSC and can only make recommendations. However, unlike Security Council resolutions, UNGA recommendations are legally nonbinding and can be ignored by the member states without facing any consequences. In addition, the General
Assembly may meet in an Emergency Special Session if requested by nine members of the Security Council or by a majority of the Members of the Assembly – as it is doing on Dec 12.
