By Dominic Giannini in Canberra

A humanitarian crisis in Gaza has resulted in Australia supporting a reinvigorated push for a ceasefire and aid to flow at scale. 

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to support a permanent and unconditional ceasefire, the release of hostages, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians.

The motion passed with 158 members voting in support and nine against, with 13 abstaining at an emergency session on Thursday.

The humanitarian crisis was a key factor in Australia’s vote, with more than 44,000 people killed in Gaza, including more than 13,000 children.

Nearly all of the strip’s 2.1 million people have lost their homes and don’t have enough food, water or medical supplies.

Australia’s ambassador to the UN James Larsen said the demand for full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance to Gaza was urgent as he branded the human human suffering unbearable.

“Israel must take urgent action to alleviate this humanitarian crisis,” he said.

But the resolution’s shortcomings included not demanding a conditional ceasefire and failing to unequivocally condemn Hamas, Mr Larsen said as he called for the designated terrorist group to lay down arms.

“There can be no role for terrorists in the future governance of Gaza,” he said.

Australia also voted to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in a second motion that passed with 159 in support, nine against and 11 abstaining.

The motion called for the Israeli Knesset to reverse laws banning the agency from operating in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which include Gaza and the West Bank.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has repeatedly stated the agency was the only one with the capability to distribute aid at the scale needed in Gaza.

Israel’s ambassador to the UN said the agency had been infiltrated by Hamas – something it denies – and accused the general assembly of ignoring the hostages taken by the terrorist organisation on October 7.

Mr Larsen expressed grave concern over Israel’s laws, saying while the resolution wasn’t perfect, “limiting UNRWA’s operations will only exacerbate an already terrible humanitarian crisis”.

Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson chastised the votes, saying the federal government’s lack of support for Israel translated into anti-Semitism in Australia as people linked the Jewish community to Israel.

“They don’t draw any distinction between Israel and Jews, so when the Australian government abandons or even worse, vilifies Israel, anti-Semites take encouragement from that,” he told Sky News.

It follows a number of anti-Semitism crimes including the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue – being investigated as a likely terrorist attack – and anti-Israel graffiti sprayed on a building before a car was set on fire in Sydney.

Senator Paterson also attacked UNRWA after a handful of staff members were fired for being involved in Hamas’ terror attack, saying it was “unreformable” and Australia shouldn’t be providing funding.

Australia suspended funding after the allegations and only reinstated it with a probity agreement attached and intelligence agencies determined it wasn’t a terrorist organisation.