![UN Human Rights Council's 58th session begins with a warning of a "sharp decline" in human rights and a call for "robust" response by states in Geneva, Switzerland on February 24, 2025. [Muhammet İkbal Arslan - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AA-20250224-37150932-37150930-UN_HUMAN_RIGHTS_COUNCILS_58TH_SESSION_BEGINS_IN_GENEVA.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The UN Human Rights Council today adopted a resolution condemning Israel’s renewed offensive in Gaza and demanded the occupation state uphold its responsibility to “prevent genocide” in the Palestinian territory.
The text, adopted with 27 of the council’s 47 members voting in favour, four against and 16 abstaining, deplored “the violation by Israel of the ceasefire agreement” and called on Tel Aviv to “lift its illegal blockade” on Gaza.
The vote came after Israel resumed its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on 18 March, with a major military escalation that killed 404 Palestinians and injured more than 562 others in just one day. The bombing campaign brought to an end a fragile ceasefire that had been in place since mid-January, but which Israel had violated over 900 times.
The resolution, put forward by most members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), demanded “unimpeded humanitarian assistance and the urgent restoration of basic necessities” to Gaza.
It slammed “the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare”, and called on all countries “to take immediate action to prevent the continued forcible transfer of Palestinians within or from the Gaza Strip”.
The text also voiced “grave concern at statements by Israeli officials amounting to incitement to genocide”, and demanded Israel “uphold its legal responsibility to prevent genocide”.
The US and Israel are boycotting the council, which they accuse of bias.
Germany was among the four countries that voted against the resolution.
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