STORY: UN adopts resolution calling for humanitarian truce in Gaza
DATELINE: Oct. 28, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:14
LOCATION: UN Headquarters
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of UNGA Hall
2. various of delegates voting
3. various of voting process on big screen
4. various of delegates applauding
5. SOUNDBITE (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly
6. various of delegates applauding

STORYLINE:

The UN General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution that calls for a humanitarian truce in Gaza.
   
The resolution calls for "an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities," including protection of civilians and civilian subjects, protection of humanitarian personnel and facilities, and "immediate and unconditional release" of all civilians being illegally held captive.
   
The resolution was adopted with 120 votes in favor, 14 votes against, and 45 abstentions.

SOUNDBITE (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly
"The result of the vote is as follows. In favour 120. Against 14. Abstentions 45. Draft resolution A/ES10/L.25 is adopted."

Countries that voted against the draft resolution include Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Fiji, Guatemala, Hungary, Israel, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, and the United States.
   
An amendment led by Canada did not pass, as it failed to reach the required two-thirds majority. The amendment would have condemned the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the taking of hostages by Hamas and would have called for the release of hostages.

The resolution came as fighting in the Gaza Strip intensified. The Israel Defense Forces increased its airstrikes against the Hamas-ruled territory and expanded ground operations in Gaza on Friday night.
   
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced early Saturday morning its fighter jets killed Hamas aerial array chief Asem Abu Rakaba, who was claimed responsible for Hamas' unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), drones, paragliders, aerial detection and aerial defense. Rakaba took part in planning the Hamas surprise attack on Oct. 7 and "was responsible for the drone attacks on IDF posts," IDF said in a social media statement.
   
Gaza is believed to be on the brink of a humanitarian crisis, with very limited access to food and water, no fuel for electricity, and the "total collapse" of the health system.
   
According to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza, 7,326 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. More than 1,400 Israelis were killed, the majority of them in the Hamas offensive that occurred on Oct. 7, according to figures released by the Israeli military.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from UN Headquarters.
(XHTV)