UN general assembly calls again for 'immediate and durable' ceasefire in the Gaza Strip [AFP]

In a non-binding revised resolution, the 192-member body voted to demand "full respect" of a security council resolution adopted last week.

The earlier binding resolution had called for "an immediate, durable and  fully respected ceasefire leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces" from Gaza.

Both Israel and the Palestinian factions have not heeded the call to end hostilities.

Friday's resolution won 142 votes in favour, six against with eight abstentions.

Security council resolution 1860 had also called for the "unimpeded provision and distribution throughout the Gaza Strip of humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical treatment".

'Unanimous' vote

Ryad Mansour, the Palestinian observer to the United Nations, welcomed the assembly's "almost unanimous vote" to pressure Israel to comply with resolution 1860.

"We shall prevail because of your support," he said.

Israel is demanding that rocket fire from Gaza ceases and that an international force is established to prevent weapons from being smuggled into Gaza.

Hamas wants Israeli troops to be withdrawn from the Gaza Strip immediately and for all crossings into the territory to be permanently re-opened. Israel has blockaded the Gaza Strip for more than 18 months, leaving the population of 1.5 million short of food, fuel and medical supplies.

While Israel says it reserves the right to use military action if under threat, its emergency security cabinet is expected to vote on Saturday in favour of a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza, according to the AFP news agency.

By Friday morning, 1,155 Palestinians had been killed and more than 5,200 injured since Israel launched its offensive on December 27. One-third of the dead are children.

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