• UN General Assembly unanimously votes to endorse the "New York Declaration" for a two-state solution.
• The resolution demands Hamas to surrender its weapons and free all hostages.
• The vote saw 142 countries in favor, with the US, Israel, and eight other nations opposing.
• Upcoming UN summit may see more countries recognizing the Palestinian state.
• The declaration highlights dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, urging an end to the ongoing war.

The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted to support the "New York Declaration," which aims to revive the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine while explicitly sidelining Hamas. The resolution passed with 142 votes in favor, 10 against—including Israel and the United States—and 12 abstentions, marking a significant moment in international diplomacy amidst a prolonged conflict, according to TRT Global and Reuters.

The resolution condemns the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas against Israeli civilians and demands that the group "must free all hostages," calling for an end to their governance in Gaza. The draft hopes for Hamas to hand over control to the Palestinian Authority, facilitating the goal of establishing an independent Palestinian state, as noted by multiple sources including South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.

As the situation escalates, the declaration includes plans for a "temporary international stabilization mission" under UN auspices aimed at supporting the Palestinian civilian population and facilitating security responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority. This mission is crucial amid reports of catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza due to ongoing conflict, which has seen over 64,000 reported casualties, according to Reuters and India Times.

Amid this backdrop, the vote comes right before the high-profile UN summit in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, expected to see leaders from several countries formally recognize Palestinian statehood. The anticipated recognition efforts reflect global discontent with the stalled negotiation processes and Israel's expansionist policies, as outlined by sources including Le Monde and The Jakarta Post.

While this situation signals potential for progress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his stance against a Palestinian state, stating, "We are going to fulfill our promise that there will be no Palestinian state." His government has faced widespread international criticism over its military actions in Gaza, a sentiment echoed by several diplomats and human rights organizations, featuring prominently in discussions in assemblies, according to Reuters and Africa News.