DFA changes vote on UN’s Gaza resolution

Although the United Nations General Assembly still didn’t condemn acts committed by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel, the Philippine delegation to the UN changed its vote and supported a call for a “humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza as Israeli forces neared victory in the 68-day war. “While we condemn the October 7 terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas, the Philippines emphasizes adherence to international humanitarian law, especially the principles of proportionality and distinction in response to security threats,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement on Wednesday. Manila was one of the 153 that voted in favor of the resolution, while 10 were against, and 23 abstained. In the last General Assembly resolution in November, the Philippines abstained from voting because of the lack of factual mention and condemnation of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed at least 1,200 Israelis, including four Filipinos. Since then, almost 18,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war started by their Hamas government which is believed to be still hiding in kilometers-long underground tunnels in Gaza. —JACOB LAZARO