UNGA weighs resolution on Israel

World Today

 

 

The United Nations is weighing a resolution by The State of Palestine calling for Israel to end its “unlawful presence” in Gaza and West Bank.

The original Palestinian draft of the resolution demanded Israel end its occupation within six months. However, the current draft has been modified to extend the timeline to one year in response to international feedback.

The resolution aims to emphasize the International Court of Justice’s July 2024 ruling which declared Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem to be unlawful.

Meanwhile, tensions within the region continue to escalate.

Israeli strikes have injured and killed U.N. personnel and humanitarian workers in recent weeks. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an independent investigation into these incidents.

Recent explosions involving pagers across Lebanon and parts of Syria have also resulted in at least nine deaths, including that of a nine-year-old girl, and approximately 2,750 injuries, according to the Lebanese Health Minister. Among the injured is Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon. The pagers, which were recently procured by Hezbollah, were detonated after members were instructed to cease using cell phones.

The blasts occurred around 3:30 p.m. local time on Sept. 17, affecting Beirut suburbs, eastern Lebanon, and Damascus.

Lebanese officials suspect that Israel was behind the blasts citing a remote cyberattack. Hezbollah says it’s currently investigating the explosions. The Israeli military has declined to comment.