October 9, 2024
I will now make a statement in my national capacity.
Like my colleagues, I would like to thank the Commissioner General of UNRWA, Mr Philippe Lazzarini, and the Director of OCHA’s Funding and Partnerships Division, Ms Lisa Doughten, not only for their presentations but also for their great commitment in the most difficult of circumstances.
One year after October 7, 2023, Switzerland remains deeply shocked by the acts of terror and hostagetaking perpetrated by Hamas in Israel. My country reiterates its firm condemnation of these acts and expresses its deepest sympathy to the victims and their families. Our thoughts are also with the families of the hostages still being held in Gaza, several of whom I have had the honour to meet, whose grief we share and whose courage we admire. We repeat: the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages has been demanded by every resolution adopted by this Council since October 7, 2023. We also condemn the firing of rockets by Hamas against Israel, as happened the day before yesterday.
Since October 7, and we have heard it from all our colleagues here without exception, the massive escalation of violence, especially through Israeli military operations, has exacerbated the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza immeasurably: we know the numbers, more than 41,000 people have died, and 2.2 million people – the entire population – are living in catastrophic conditions, without any protection, prey to incessant hostilities, famine and epidemics.
The human toll of the conflict is devastating, also in the West Bank. Switzerland condemns the fact that hostilities and other acts of violence have claimed numerous civilian victims in the occupied Palestinian territory – many of them children. Several million civilians have been forcibly displaced by the hostilities, including as a result of repeated evacuation orders.
Switzerland once again calls for the immediate implementation of the four resolutions adopted by this Council since October 7. They are binding. And this includes an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The humanitarian aid arriving in Gaza remains largely insufficient, we have heard it. All parties have an obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, in accordance with international humanitarian law. Hunger spreads in Gaza. The use of starvation as a method of warfare is a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. According to the orders of the International Court of Justice, which are binding on the parties in question, Israel must without delay take all necessary and effective measures, in close cooperation with the UN, to ensure – without restriction and on a large scale – the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian aid to the population, across all crossings and throughout the Gaza Strip.
This is also crucial on the eve of the second phase of the polio vaccination campaign. The first phase has shown that the United Nations and its specialized agencies – notably WHO, UNICEF and UNRWA – can fulfill the humanitarian aid mission assured to them by international humanitarian law, if there is the political will to do so.
As Resolution 2730 reminds us, humanitarian personnel are protected by international humanitarian law, and attacks must not be directed against them. Since October 7, more than 300 humanitarian workers have been killed in this conflict. Switzerland has condemned the attacks and violence perpetrated against UN personnel, including by Israeli settlers against UNRWA offices in East Jerusalem this year. UNRWA – mandated by the General Assembly since 1949 – is the largest humanitarian actor in the occupied Palestinian territory, and plays a crucial role in preventing further destabilization of the region.
In the West Bank, in the shadow of regional escalation, violence intensifies. The military means used bear witness to this. Not since the second intifada have there been so many air attacks, including last weekend in Tulkarem, causing civilian casualties. In the context of operations by Israeli security forces, the use of force must in particular meet the criterion of proportionality and respect the rights of every individual to life and security of person.
At a time when the entire region is sinking deeper and deeper into violence, we call on member states to reaffirm their support for the United Nations’ efforts, under the Charter of the United Nations.
Switzerland also reiterates its full support for the work of the Secretary-General and his High Representatives, and condemns the recent remarks made about them.
Through its humanitarian action in Gaza, but also its good offices and peacekeeping operations in the region, notably in Lebanon, the UN remains crucial in remedying the regional escalation that threatens international peace and security.
We call on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law at all times and in all circumstances. Furthermore, we recall that all States also have an obligation to ensure respect for this law. We therefore call on all states to use their influence to this end.
Switzerland condemns all violations of international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Geneva Conventions of 1949. The universality of these Conventions makes them a true success of multilateralism. However, the countless human sufferings in the region are a somber reminder that these Conventions, and all the rules of international humanitarian law, are being flouted today. The violation of these rules constitutes a threat to the international peace and security of which we, the members of the Security Council, are the guarantors.
We must join forces to make respect for international humanitarian law a political priority.
Respect for international law is the compass for settling disputes, preventing further regional escalation and limiting suffering. Respect for the Charter, international humanitarian law and human rights must be the guiding principle for all parties to conflicts.
Finally, we reiterate the urgent need to restore a political horizon in line with UN resolutions The solution of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, of which Gaza is an integral part, living side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders, is the only possible outcome in this respect.
Thank you.