India on Friday abstained from voting on a resolution in the United Nations that called for an immediate humanitarian truce between Israel and Palestine amid bombardment on Gaza and killing of over 7,000 Palestinians.
The resolution drafted by Jordan also called for unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip. The 193 members of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), which met in a resumed 10th Emergency Special Session, voted on the draft resolution submitted by Jordan and co-sponsored by more than 40 nations including Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia and South Africa.
The resolution titled “Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations” was adopted with 120 nations voting in its favour, 14 against it and 45 abstaining.
Besides India, countries that abstained included Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine and the UK.
Additionally, the UNGA also demanded the “continuous, sufficient, and unhindered” provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped inside the enclave.
The voting at UNGA comes at a time when Israel has announced expanding ground operations in Gaza. On Friday, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the military has ramped up airstrikes in the Gaza Strip in the past few hours and will expand the activity.
