September 19, 2024
Thank you, Madam President. And thank you, Coordinator Wennesland and Ms. Clark, for your briefings.
Colleagues, this is a decisive moment for the parties to the ongoing conflict and for the security of the broader region. The Council will have an opportunity to further discuss the situation with regard to Lebanon tomorrow afternoon.
The United States continues to gather facts, and we reiterate that it is not in any party’s interests for there to be a broader regional conflict.
Indeed, Secretary Blinken continues to work for an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal, consistent with Resolution 2735.
As he emphasized yesterday during his visit to Egypt, we all know the ceasefire deal is the best chance to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to address regional stability. It is imperative all parties refrain from actions which could escalate broader regional tensions and undermine the ongoing negotiations.
We have also called on all parties to the fighting in Gaza to avoid putting civilians at risk and to take important steps to ensure that the humanitarian personnel are able to do their jobs and help save lives.
There is no clearer evidence of Hamas’ total indifference to Palestinian civilians in Gaza than its continued hiding under civilian sites. For the sake of civilians on all sides of the conflict, this must stop.
We must not grow numb to the human suffering in the region. Again, it is manifestly in the interest of Israelis, Palestinians, and every country in the region for the fighting in Gaza to stop and a broader conflict to be averted.
As we have emphasized before, a ceasefire in Gaza could reduce tensions along the Blue Line, creating conditions for displaced Lebanese civilians to go home in the south, and for Israeli civilians displaced by Hizballah’s persistent rocket attacks since October 7 to return to their homes.
Colleagues, as we heard today, the situation in the West Bank also remains of grave concern. We condemn deadly violence against Palestinian civilians by extremist settlers in the West Bank. Moreover, we reiterate Israel would be well-advised to avoid military operations and other measures that risk further inflaming tensions and destabilizing the already combustible situation.
Israel’s program of support for the expansion of settlements is inconsistent with international law and only serves to weaken Israel’s security by enflaming tensions and undercutting efforts to achieve a two-state solution.
Colleagues, the Security Council can and should play a constructive role consistent with the principles outlined by President Biden in May and that this Council endorsed in Resolution 2735 – to encourage Hamas to accept the deal on the table, to encourage a de-escalation of regional tensions, and to reaffirm to all parties that unilateral measures such as settlements and one-sided resolutions in New York will not bring about a two-state solution. Implementing Resolution 2735 will also require political will from leaders in the region.
There is no alternative to a negotiated end to the fighting in Gaza and there is no alternative path to achieve a two-state solution other than through direct negotiations between the parties.
The United States will continue to do everything possible to put forward ideas and proposals to achieve a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza that would help lay the foundation for a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Colleagues, we see the paths before us. One path would save lives, bring relief to the people of Gaza, bring the hostages home, and de-escalate regional tensions.
The other, darker path, which we should all endeavor to avoid going any further down, is marked by further impasses in ceasefire talks, civilian suffering in Gaza, and the risk of additional unilateral actions that could set off a broader conflict.
Hamas wants the region to go down the second path, for the fighting and suffering in Gaza to continue, for there to a be a broader regional conflict.
It is, therefore, on the shoulders of anyone who wants to see this war end and cares about the plight of Palestinian civilians, to press Hamas to engage constructively and close the deal on the table. That is the best way to ensure that the war ends, and the region does not go down a darker path in the coming weeks.
Thank you, Madam President.