Somalia joins global call for truce in Israeli-Palestinian war

Somalia joined over 100 countries in calling for a humanitarian truce in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas which has killed thousands and displaced thousands more from their homes.

At the UN General Assembly Friday night, Somalia voted alongside other 119 countries in a resolution which called for ‘immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.’

Fourteen countries, most of them small island nations led by the U.S and Israel, voted against the resolution while 45 other countries abstained from the vote.

The resolution that garnered the two-thirds majority needed also demanded that all parties “immediately and fully comply” with obligations under international humanitarian and human rights laws, “particularly in regard to the protection of civilians and civilian objects.”

It also urged the protection of humanitarian personnel, persons hors de combat, and humanitarian facilities and assets, and to enable and facilitate humanitarian access for essential supplies and services to reach all civilians in need in the Gaza Strip.”

The General Assembly also called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of all civilians being illegally held captive, demanding their safety, well-being and humane treatment in compliance with international law.

It also reaffirmed that a “just and lasting solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means, based on the relevant UN resolutions and in accordance with international law, and on the basis of the two-State solution.