25 November 2024
President,
I thank Deputy Special Coordinator Muhannad Hadi for his briefing.
Last Wednesday, because of the single use of veto by the United States, the Council’s efforts for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza suffered another setback. In the days that followed, hundreds more civilians lost their lives in Gaza. With each passing day, the situation is worsening and moving into an even more dangerous direction.
We saw that in the early morning of November 21, Israel’s attack on a residential area in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza killed dozens of women and children during their sleep. On November 23, Israel again attacked the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, causing further serious damage to the only remaining medical facility in the north. Newborn babies lost their oxygen supply, leading to the stop of their heartbeats. On November 24, Israel issued an emergency evacuation order for the eastern part of Gaza City, and a large number of people were forced to flee overnight, being displaced yet again. Also in the past few days, Israel continued its indiscriminate bombardment of South and East Lebanon, repeatedly striking the densely populated urban area of Beirut, leveling large areas of villages, and leaving hundreds of innocent civilians in flames.
With the paralysis of the Council, the war machine is running at full throttle. Facts show that the Council’s continued delay will mean even greater destruction and civilian casualties. The Council cannot afford to pause and wait. It must seize every minute and take all necessary actions at the earliest opportunity.
First, an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire must be imposed. A ceasefire is an essential precondition for saving lives, and cannot be linked to any issue. Insisting on preconditions for a ceasefire means condoning the continued killings of innocent civilians and giving the green light for prolonging the war.
Second, barriers to humanitarian access must be removed. The fulfillment of international humanitarian law is a nonnegotiable obligation and cannot be a bargaining chip. Israel must lift all restrictions on access, cease the implementation of and revoke its bills against UNRWA, and effectively guarantee the large-scale access and safe distribution of humanitarian supplies throughout Gaza.
Third, unilateral actions that undermine the basis of the two-State solution must be rejected. The implementation of the two-State solution on the basis of international law and Security Council resolutions is the only viable way to resolve the Palestinian question. In order to preserve the prospects of the two-State solution, the barbaric expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank must be stopped, and any dangerous attempts to annex the West Bank must be rejected. The future arrangements for Gaza must be premised on Israel’s withdrawal and be decided by the Palestinian people through their own consultations. Any attempts at demographic and territorial changes of Gaza are unacceptable.
Fourth, a wider regional conflict must be stopped. The situation in the Middle East is already precarious. Israel must abandon its obsession with the use of force and cease its violations and provocative adventurism against other regional countries such as Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. UNIFIL is authorized to carry out its mandate in accordance with Council resolutions, and all parties should respect and guarantee the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and facilities.
President,
As noted by Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland, the Gaza conflict is the biggest stress test the United Nations has ever faced in the Middle East. In our view, this stress test is first and foremost a test for Council members. It tests our ability to save lives and maintain peace. It tests our determination to uphold international rule of law and fairness and justice. It tests our willingness to safeguard the authority of the Council’s mechanisms and resolutions. So far, due to the negative attitude of some country, the Council’s past performance did not pass the test. We call on the individual country to face up squarely to its responsibilities and support the Council in using all options in its toolbox to take further actions to achieve an immediate ceasefire and restore peace.
Thank you, President.