Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong has said the country had supported a UN resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza out of concern for civilians in the besieged enclave, in a rare split with close ally the United States, Reuters reports.

After dire warnings by UN officials over a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza in the two-month-long battle between Israel and Hamas, the 193-member UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire with 153 countries including Australia voting in favour.

“Australia has consistently affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself,” Wong told a news conference in Adelaide after the UN resolution passed.

“And in doing so, we have said as Israel must respect international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals must be protected.

“The resolution we have supported is consistent with the position we have previously outlined on these issues.