India voted in favour of the ceasefire resolution in the United Nations General Assembly's emergency session on the Middle East on Tuesday (local time). The UNGA has adopted a resolution 'Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations' demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Meanwhile, United States President Joe Biden warned Israel and said that the country was losing international support due to its “indiscriminate” bombing of civilians in its war against Hamas, as reported by news agency Reuters.
Besides India, 153 nations voted in favour of the resolution, while 10, including the US, Israel, and Austria, voted against, and 23 countries, including Argentina, Ukraine, and Germany, abstained from voting, as reported by news agency ANI.
The UNGA resolution seeks an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire," the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and "ensuring humanitarian access." It further states that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including humanitarian law, pertaining to the protection of civilians.
Enormous Humanitarian Crisis And Large-Scale Loss Of Civilian Lives: Ruchira Kamboj
Speaking at the UNGA, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, said that there is an enormous humanitarian crisis and a large-scale loss of civilian lives, especially of women and children. She further stated that there is the issue of observing international humanitarian law in all circumstances.
"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. There is an enormous humanitarian crisis and the 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. Our challenge, in this extraordinarily difficult time, is to strike the right balance. The gravity and complexity of what the international community faces is underlined by the secretary general invoking Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations. We, therefore, welcome the fact that the international community unity has been able to find a common ground to address the multiple challenges facing the region right now," Ruchira Kamboj said, as quoted by ANI.