UN General Assembly Overwhelmingly Demands Israel Allow Unrestricted Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling on Israel to provide unfettered humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, cease attacks on United Nations facilities, and fulfil its obligations under international law as an occupying power.

The vote on Friday — coming after the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion in October — saw 139 member states back the text, 12 vote against (including Israel and the United States) and 19 abstain. The measure was tabled by Norway with the support of more than a dozen co-sponsors.

Context and Legal Basis

The Assembly’s action follows the ICJ advisory opinion, which outlined Israel’s responsibilities under the UN Charter and humanitarian law. Supporters of the resolution argued it clarifies states’ legal obligations to ensure the delivery of life-saving aid to civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Deliveries and Access

UN officials and many member states said Israel has allowed only a fraction of the humanitarian deliveries agreed under the United States-brokered ceasefire that took effect in October, creating a continuing emergency for civilians in Gaza.

Key Statements

"Civilians are paying the highest price. Respect for humanitarian principles is eroding. The most fundamental tenets of humanitarian law are under pressure," Norway's Permanent Representative Merete Fjeld Brattested told the Assembly, urging legal clarity on the provision of life-saving assistance.

US envoy Jeff Bartos rejected the resolution, saying it "exemplifies how... the General Assembly continues its decades-long pattern of unfairly targeting Israel."

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA commissioner-general, welcomed the vote as "a strong endorsement" of the ICJ finding that allegations of Hamas infiltration within the agency are unsubstantiated and that claims of a lack of neutrality are unfounded.

Palestinian National Council Speaker Rouhi Fattouh said the wide margin reflected renewed international support for UNRWA and warned of the risk of escalating occupation crimes and a further deterioration of humanitarian conditions inside the occupied Palestinian territory.

Implications

While UN General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, the vote represents broad international pressure on Israel to comply with humanitarian obligations and protect UN premises and personnel. The outcome also signals strong global backing for UNRWA’s mandate and for the ICJ’s role in clarifying legal responsibilities in the conflict.