A resolution calling for an "immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities" has been adopted by the UN General Assembly in New York.
The vote is being seen here as a strong rebuke to Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza, in the wake of the Hamas attacks on Israel three weeks ago.
The resolution, which also calls for humanitarian access and a rescinding of Israel’s evacuation order of civilians and UN workers from the north of the Gaza Strip, was sponsored by Jordan and other Arab states.
It received 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions.
Ireland voted in favour, as did France, but other European countries such as Germany, Greece and Italy abstained, along with the UK.
The US and Israel were among the 14 countries to vote against.
An amendment, drafted by Canada, to include language condemning the 7 October Hamas attacks and calling for the release of Israeli hostages, failed to get enough votes.
The voting took place during a special emergency session of the General Assembly which was convened after the Security Council failed to reach an agreement on four separate resolutions.
The Israeli mission objected to the resolution because, they said, it "completely ignores the existence of Hamas and does not mention the terror organisation or the barbaric massacre it committed".
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Israel's strongest ally at the UN, the US, seconded their objections during the debate this morning.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told delegates that it was "outrageous" that Hamas was not mentioned in the text.
"Another key word missing in this resolution is 'hostage,'" Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield continued.
The US envoy said they had co-sponsored the amendment to the resolution with Canada. The wording of the amendment "condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas….the taking of hostages and calls for their immediate and unconditional release".
Earlier, the envoy of Egypt, Osama Mahmoud Abdelkhalek, told delegates that "silence over the basic rights of Palestinians under fire in Gaza is no longer an option".
He condemned Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
Denying people water had "no place in the 21st Century. They are reminiscent of practices of the Middle Ages", he said.
Irish Ambassador to the UN Fergal Mythen said Ireland unreservedly condemned the "heinous and barbaric acts of Hamas on 7th of October."
He said Ireland was gravely concerned about the situation in Gaza and particularly the impact of the conflict on children. He renewed a call on Israel to end the blockade of Gaza and allow "meaningful humanitarian access".
Ambassador of Qatar Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani heaped scorn on the Security Council for failing to act, as did the EU Ambassador, Olof Skoog.
"The dramatic conflict and the humanitarian situation would have required the united and timely and strong messages by the Council, which the latter has failed to deliver," Ambassador Skoog told delegates.
"The purpose of the UN is to overcome divisions," he said.
