Bangladesh has voiced deep worry about the ongoing atrocities and dead toll in Gaza, urging an urgent truce.

Bangladesh’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Muhammad Abdul Muhith, expressed concern on Wednesday, when the ongoing 10th Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted an important resolution affirming the International Court of Justice’s recent advisory opinion on July 19 declaring the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territory illegal.

The resolution was introduced by Palestine and co-sponsored by 53 countries, including Bangladesh.

The adoption was decided by a vote, with 124 countries in favor, 14 opposed, and 43 abstentions. Bangladesh, a co-sponsor, voted in favor.

The resolution, in light of the recent ICJ verdict, calls upon Israel to end its unlawful presence in Palestine, the first step of which is to end its military campaign in Gaza.

The resolution also calls for, among others, the establishment of an international mechanism for reparation for all damage, loss or injury arising from the internationally wrongful acts of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

It also requests the UN secretary general to present a report on the implementation of the resolution.

The resolution also calls for ensuring accountability for the atrocity crimes committed by Israel, especially in light of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians.

Through adopting the resolution, the General Assembly also decided to hold an international conference within one year on Palestine, with the objective to find out ways and means to establish an independent Palestinian state.

In general, the resolution is being considered as an important step towards achieving the solution of the Middle East crisis through implementing the two-state solution.

During the debate in the General Assembly, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith delivered Bangladesh’s national statement.

Muhith welcomed the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice as a historic one and called upon all member states to abide by this.

He also expressed Bangladesh’s grave concern about the ongoing atrocities and high death toll in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire referring to the UN Security Council Resolution 2728.

He emphasized that the two-state solution, based on the pre-1967 border of the Palestinian state, is the only pathway for achieving sustainable peace in the Middle East.

The ambassador also appreciated the roles of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court in the process of ensuring accountability of illegal occupation and mass atrocity crimes in Occupied Palestinian Territory.

He appreciated the UN secretary general and UN human rights high commissioner’s statements concerning the grave humanitarian and human rights situation in Gaza.