Amid escalating concerns over human rights violations against Palestinians during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, the United Nations’ Human Rights Council passed a resolution on April 5 calling for countries to cease selling or shipping weapons to Israel. The resolution, approved by a vote of 28-6 with 13 abstentions, also calls for independent investigators to monitor shipments of weapons and dual-use items to prevent their potential use against Palestinians.
Notably, Western countries were divided on the resolution, with the U.S., Germany, and others opposing it, while some European nations supported it. The resolution underscores mounting international pressure on Israel and its strongest supporter, the United States, to address humanitarian concerns and protect civilians amid the ongoing conflict.