UN General Assembly set to vote on nonbinding resolution calling for a `humanitarian truce’ in Gaza

By EDITH M. LEDERER
Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly has scheduled a vote on a nonbinding resolution calling for a “humanitarian truce” in Gaza leading to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers. Jordan’s U.N. Ambassador Mahmoud Hmoud called for the vote on Friday afternoon, before all 112 speakers get to the assembly’s rostrum, because of the urgency of taking action. He was speaking on behalf of the U.N.’s 22-nation Arab group, which drafted the resolution after the more powerful 15-member Security Council failed to agree on a resolution after four attempts. There are no vetoes in the General Assembly, so the resolution is certain to be adopted.