Switzerland says it voted in favor of UN resolution calling for 'humanitarian truce' in Gaza

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - Switzerland said it had voted in favor of a UN resolution Friday that called for an immediate "durable and sustained humanitarian truce" in Gaza.

"Switzerland voted for Middle East resolution calling for: humanitarian truce, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, respect of IHL (international humanitarian law) and protection of civilians by all parties," the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.

It also condemned "acts of terror" by the Palestinian group, Hamas, and called for an immediate release of hostages.

The UN General Assembly resolution was approved by a vote of 120-14, with 45 nations abstaining. Nearly 50 countries presented it, including Türkiye, Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Adopted at the 10th Emergency Special Session meeting on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the draft resolution expresses "grave concern" over the "latest escalation of violence" since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

The conflict in Gaza began Oct. 7 when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood – a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been running out of food, water, medicine, and fuel, and aid convoys recently allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.

Nearly 8,800 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,326 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis. Some 70% of the deaths in Gaza are women and children, according to official figures