• The US vetoed a Security Council resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called an emergency meeting.
• Guterres criticized the Security Council’s delay.

Following the US veto of a Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire last week, officials and diplomats announced on Sunday that the UN General Assembly will convene on Tuesday to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The representatives of Egypt and Mauritania, “in their respective capacities as Chair of the Arab Group and Chair of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation,” have summoned a special meeting of the General Assembly for Tuesday afternoon, according to a spokesperson for the Assembly president.

Diplomatic sources said that a resolution proposing a ceasefire might be put to a vote by the General Assembly during the conference, as its resolutions are not legally enforceable.

The language of the vetoed Security Council resolution from Friday, which expressed “grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip,” is closely aligned with the draft text obtained by the AFP.

It demands the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages” in addition to “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”

After UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Friday and used the infrequently used Article 99 of the UN Charter to bring to the council’s attention “any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security,” the United States blocked the ceasefire resolution.

After the battle, Guterres stated that the body’s “authority and credibility” had been “severely undermined” by its tardiness in responding.

The General Assembly demanded a “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities” between Israel and Hamas at the end of October.

Two weeks later, the Security Council finally voiced its opinions on the fighting, referring to “extended pauses and humanitarian corridors” rather than a ceasefire or truce.

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