The United Nations General Assembly votes overwhelmingly in favor of a ceasefire in Gaza.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on Thursday, June 12, calling for an "immediate, unconditional, and permanent" ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the need to open crossings for humanitarian aid. The vote came after days of the United States exercising its veto power against a similar resolution in the Security Council.

The resolution was supported by 149 countries, opposed by 12 countries including the United States and Israel, and 19 countries abstained from voting. The resolution also called for the release of Israeli detainees held by Hamas, the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the sector.

Furthermore, the resolution condemned "the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare," described the illegal prevention of humanitarian aid and "deprivation of civilians of essentials for survival" as a blatant violation of international law.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, criticized the resolution, calling it a "farce undermining negotiations for the release of detainees and failing to condemn Hamas's actions."

He added: "You must realize that by not linking the release of hostages to a ceasefire, you are telling every terrorist organization that kidnapping civilians is worthwhile."

In a speech before the vote, Libyan delegate Taher al-Sunni said, "Those who vote against the resolution today will bear a stigma of shame."

It is worth noting that General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding but reflect the international stance on global crises, unlike the Security Council where the five permanent members have veto power.