PH backs UN reso demanding immediate ceasefire in Gaza war

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

FILE: The ruins of Gaza after Israeli airstrikes. (Photo By Jaber Jehad Badwan/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA – The Philippine government is among the 149 countries that voted in favor of a United Nations resolution demanding an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent” ceasefire in the war in Gaza.

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution on June 12, with 149 in favor, 12 against, and 12 abstentions.

Among those opposing the resolution were the United States, Israel, Argentina, Hungary, and Paraguay.

India, Albania, Czechia, Georgia, Ecuador, Romania, Timor-Leste, and Ethiopia were among the countries abstaining.

The resolution also strongly condemned any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the “unlawful denial of humanitarian access” in Gaza.

The General Assembly said Israel is “obliged under international law” to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches all the population in need, demanding the “immediate and permanent facilitation of full, rapid, safe, and unhindered entry” of goods throughout the enclave.

The resolution, likewise, recalled the General Assembly’s demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.

While General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, the UN said it carries significant political and moral weight.

The adoption comes after the UN Security Council failed to pass a similar document last week due to a lone veto by the US.