India was among the 45 countries that abstained from the UN vote

KATHMANDU, Oct 28: Nepal on Friday joined other South Asian countries, except India, in the UN General Assembly in voting in favor of the resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict, leading to a cessation of hostilities.

The resolution, titled "Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations," was adopted with 120 nations voting in its favor, 14 against it, and 45 abstaining. While India chose to abstain from voting on the resolution drafted by Jordan, 120 other UN member states, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, voted in favor of the resolution in the UNGA.

Diplomatic sources stated that Israel expressed dissatisfaction over Nepal's decision not to extend support to its fight against terrorism. Over 1400 people, mostly Israeli civilians and 10 Nepali nationals, were brutally murdered in the terrorist attack unleashed by Hamas militants in Southern Israel on October 7.

Israel has lately begun a massive counteroffensive to crush what it called Hamas operatives in Palestine. Israel has maintained that Nepal, which enjoys friendly relations with Israel and is engaged in multiple levels of bilateral cooperation, must support its fight against terrorism.

The Israeli side has complained that Nepal, which recognized Israel as a state first among the South Asian countries, has taken positions against Israel in most UN votes.

Meanwhile, India chose to abstain in the UNGA on the resolution, arguing that the Jordanian-drafted resolution did not make any mention of the militant group Hamas. The 193 members of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), which met in the 10th Emergency Special Session, voted on the draft resolution submitted by Jordan and co-sponsored by more than 40 nations, including Bangladesh, the Maldives, Pakistan, Russia, and South Africa.

Besides India, countries that abstained were Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine, and the UK.

Before the general assembly voted on the resolution, the 193-member body considered an amendment proposed by Canada and co-sponsored by the US to the text.

The amendment proposed by Canada asked for inserting a paragraph in the resolution that would state that the general assembly "unequivocally rejects and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas that took place in Israel starting on October 7, 2023, and the taking of hostages, demands the safety, well-being, and humane treatment of the hostages in compliance with international law, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release."

India voted in favor of the amendment along with 87 other nations, while 55 member states voted against it, and 23 abstained. The draft amendment could not be adopted, having failed to obtain a two-thirds majority of members.

President of the 78th session of the UNGA, Dennis Francis, announced that the draft amendment could not be adopted.

The Jordanian-drafted resolution called for an immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities. It also demanded the immediate, continuous, sufficient, and unhindered provision of essential goods and services to civilians throughout the Gaza Strip, including but not limited to water, food, medical supplies, fuel, and electricity.

 
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• Nepal