UN member states on Friday voted overwhelmingly in favour of a Spanish-drafted resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and full access to deliver aid to 2 million Palestinians at risk of famine.

The U.S. last week vetoed a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that also demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and unhindered aid access in Gaza, arguing it would undermine U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire.

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly backed a resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional, and lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, with 149 countries including Germany voting in favour.