UN General Assembly Adopts Resolution Demanding Protection for Civilians in Gaza; Canadian Amendment to Name Hamas Falls Short

The United Nations General Assembly on Oct. 30 adopted an emergency special session resolution, A/ES-10/L.25, calling for the protection of civilians, unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza and an immediate humanitarian truce. The resolution passed by recorded vote: 120 in favor, 14 against and 45 abstentions.

Before the vote, Canada moved an amendment, A/ES-10/L.26, to add explicit condemnation of the Oct. 7 attacks and to name Hamas as responsible for those attacks. Representative of Canada said the amendment ‘‘brings balance’’ to the text, urged that the assembly condemn the terrorist attacks and noted Canada had committed $60,000,000 in humanitarian assistance to trusted UN and Red Cross partners. The amendment failed to obtain the two‑thirds majority required in this emergency session; the recorded vote was 88 in favor, 55 against, and 23 abstentions.

Sponsors and speakers framed the debate around two concurrent priorities: immediate humanitarian relief for civilians in Gaza and explicit language condemning the Oct. 7 attacks and hostage‑taking. Representative of Jordan, presenting the draft resolution on behalf of the Arab group, described the situation in Gaza as ‘‘dire’’ and urged ‘‘an immediate, enduring, and unwavering humanitarian truce,’’ reiterating calls for unimpeded access for food, water, fuel and medical supplies. Jordan said the draft had garnered cosponsorship from dozens of member states (Jordan stated 47 cosponsors during its presentation).

Many delegations voiced support for the humanitarian elements in L.25 while explaining divergent votes. Several members of the European Union and other states said they supported the resolution’s humanitarian aims but regretted the absence of an explicit condemnation of the Oct. 7 attacks or an unequivocal naming of the perpetrators; some of those states said they had supported the Canadian amendment and either abstained or voted against the adopted text. Representatives urging abstention or ‘‘no’’ votes cited missing language recognizing Israel’s right to self‑defence or the failure to call more clearly for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.

Representative of Israel, speaking after the vote, sharply rebuked the assembly, calling Hamas ‘‘terrorists’’ and criticizing delegates for failing to name the group in the adopted text. Israel’s representative also disputed certain casualty and incident reports from Gaza and attributed the Al‑Aqsa hospital parking‑lot strike to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a claim that was contested in debate.

The Observer for the State of Palestine welcomed the vote as a demonstration of international solidarity, urged immediate practical steps to secure a humanitarian truce and cited substantial civilian casualties and displacement in Gaza, attributing casualty numbers to the speaker.

The assembly’s decisions were procedural and declaratory; the General Assembly’s resolutions are not binding in the same manner as Security Council decisions but carry political weight. Following the roll‑call votes and explanations of vote, President of the session adjourned the meeting and scheduled remaining speakers for Oct. 31 at 3 p.m.

Votes at a glance:
• Amendment A/ES-10/L.26 (Canada) — recorded vote: In favor 88; Against 55; Abstentions 23 — outcome: not adopted (failed to reach two‑thirds majority).
• Resolution A/ES-10/L.25 (Jordan, on behalf of the Arab group) — recorded vote: In favor 120; Against 14; Abstentions 45 — outcome: adopted.

Next steps: Delegations offered explanations of vote after the adoption; the Assembly will hear remaining speakers in the continued emergency session on Oct. 31. The resolution calls for humanitarian measures and political attention; it does not, by itself, compel enforcement actions by member states or the Security Council.