The UN Human Rights Council adopted Draft resolution A/HRC/55/L.30 Friday, reiterating the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and further calling for embargos and prevention of the supply of weapons to Israel by Member States. Member States voted with 28 votes in favor, six against and 13 abstentions.

The resolution called for Member States “to cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel, the occupying Power…to prevent further violations of international humanitarian law and violations of abuses of human rights.” Human Rights Chief Volker Turk highlighted the violations of human rights and international law that have been committed by both Hamas and Israel. Israel voted against the resolution, arguing that it was “Anti-Israel” and biased.

The UN has been critical of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which is becoming increasingly dire. Deputy High Commissioner Nada Al-Nashif described the situation as an “ongoing Nakba” at the Conference of civil society organizations working on the question of Palestine on Wednesday. He drew attention to the increasing civilian causalities, including aid and humanitarian workers. He stated:

As of 20 March, at least 196 humanitarians, including at least 175 UN workers, had been killed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since October 2023…As a result of attacks on hospitals and medical personnel and the sustained interference with humanitarian assistance, Palestinians in Gaza are dying of disease and hunger, if they are not killed by bombs…Israel’s bombardment has flattened entire residential areas and the large-scale destruction of critical civilian infrastructure has rendered many parts of Gaza effectively uninhabitable.

Countries have been facing mounting pressure to halt the provision of arms to Israel, including the US, Canada, Germany and the UK.