The UN General Assembly has thrown its support behind the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA. -EPA
The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted to demand an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the immediate release of all hostages.
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The ceasefire demand in the resolution - adopted with 158 votes in favour - is an escalation by the 193-member General Assembly, which in October last year called for and then - two months later - demanded an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza.
General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry political weight, reflecting a global view on the war. The United States, Israel and seven other countries voted against the ceasefire resolution, while 13 countries abstained.
The world body also threw its support behind the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, adopting a second resolution with 159 votes in favour to deplore a new law that will ban UNRWA's operations in Israel from late January.
It demanded that Israel respect UNRWA's mandate and "enable its operations to proceed without impediment or restriction."Â
The US, Israel and seven other countries voted no, while 11 countries abstained.
