Colombo (News 1st) – The United Nations General Assembly has rejected a United States-sponsored resolution seeking to condemn Hamas, the Palestinian group administering the besieged Gaza Strip.

The resolution, which was backed strongly by Israel, needed a two-thirds majority to pass, following an earlier vote in the assembly.

The proposal failed to cross the threshold, with 86 nations voting in favour and 57 voting against. Thirty-three countries abstained. Among the 33 countries that abstained are Sri Lanka, India, Afghanistan, Kenya, Nepal, Philipines and Thailand.

News 1st has written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting a comment on Sri Lanka’s stance and is awaiting a response.