MEMBERS of the United Nations have voted overwhelmingly to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and unrestricted access for the delivery of desperately needed food to two million Palestinians.

The vote in the 193-member general assembly was 149-12 with 19 abstentions. It was adopted with a burst of applause. The United States and close ally Israel opposed the resolution, along with Argentina, Hungary, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea and six Pacific island nations.

The resolution, drafted by Spain, “strongly condemns any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare.”

Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon spoke against the resolution, especially for failing to condemn Hamas for its attack in southern Israel on October 7 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza. 

He denied that Israel was using starvation as a weapon of war, calling the accusation a “blood libel,” and insisted that aid was being delivered.

Experts say hunger is widespread in Gaza and some two million Palestinians are at risk of famine if Israel does not fully lift its blockade and halt its military campaign, which it renewed in March after ending a ceasefire with Hamas.

Before the vote Palestinian UN ambassador Riyad Mansour said: “The actions you take today to stop the killing, displacement and the famine will determine how many more Palestinian children die a horrible death.” 

General assembly President Philemon Yang said the UN was being called on to address “the unacceptable and catastrophic situation in Gaza” because the security council is paralysed and unable to fulfil its responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.

Meanwhile Egyptian authorities detained additional activists planning to march to Gaza in protest at restrictions on aid reaching the territory, while security forces in eastern Libya blocked a convoy of activists en route to meet them.

Demonstrators from 80 countries planned to march to Egypt’s border with Gaza to spotlight the deepening humanitarian crises facing Palestinians. 

Today’s detentions come after hundreds arriving in Cairo were earlier detained and deported to their home countries.

Alexis Deswaef, a Belgian human rights lawyer, said he woke up today to dozens of security vehicles packed with uniformed officers surrounding Talat Harb Square, where he and other activists had found hotels. 

“I am so surprised to see the Egyptians doing the dirty work of Israel,” he said from the pyramids. He hoped there would be too many activists at the new meeting point outside Cairo for Egyptian authorities to arrest en masse.