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UN General Assembly Backs Two-State Solution Despite Israeli Opposition
The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Friday in favor of a resolution supporting the creation of an independent Palestinian state and reaffirming commitment to a two-state solution. The move came just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected the idea of Palestinian statehood.
Out of the UN’s 193 members, 142 countries supported the resolution, while 10 voted against and 12 abstained. The measure, jointly presented by France and Saudi Arabia, is nonbinding but carries significant political weight, underscoring global frustration with the ongoing conflict.
The resolution condemns the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, in which militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and abducted 250 hostages. Roughly 50 hostages remain in captivity, with around 20 believed to be alive. At the same time, the declaration sharply criticizes Israel’s military response in Gaza, including what it describes as “siege and starvation,” which it says has led to a humanitarian catastrophe.
Since Israel launched its offensive following the October attack, the Gaza Health Ministry reports more than 64,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed. The UN, while unable to distinguish between fighters and civilians in those figures, continues to cite the toll. Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble, with more than 2 million people displaced. UN agencies warn that famine has already taken hold in parts of Gaza and is expected to spread further by month’s end.
The resolution envisions the Palestinian Authority (PA) assuming control of all Palestinian territories after a ceasefire, with a transitional committee established to oversee governance. It also calls for Hamas to relinquish its rule in Gaza, disarm, and release all hostages. Additionally, the text proposes a UN-backed mission to safeguard Palestinian civilians, guarantee security for both Palestinians and Israelis, and monitor a peace agreement.
Crucially, the declaration urges countries to formally recognize a Palestinian state, describing this step as an “essential and indispensable component” of achieving peace. To date, more than 145 countries have recognized Palestine, with Belgium announcing this month it would join France and the United Kingdom in doing so. Palestinian representatives say they are hopeful at least 10 more nations will follow suit soon.
Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour welcomed the broad support, calling it a reflection of the international community’s desire for peace. “We invite a party that is still pushing the option of war and destruction to listen to the sound of reason,” he said, in a veiled reference to Israel.
Israel’s government dismissed the resolution. Ambassador Danny Danon described it as “one-sided” and harmful to peace efforts, while Prime Minister Netanyahu, during a visit to a West Bank settlement, reiterated his opposition: “This place belongs to us.” The United States, Israel’s closest ally, also voted against, with its representative calling the resolution a “misguided publicity stunt” that undermines diplomacy.
While the resolution is nonbinding, its passage highlights widening international isolation for Israel as global calls intensify for a negotiated two-state solution.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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