{"id":290031,"date":"2023-10-24T11:41:16","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T15:41:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=290031"},"modified":"2023-10-25T11:50:48","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T15:50:48","slug":"ongoing-crisis-in-gaza-secco-open-debate-press-release","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/ongoing-crisis-in-gaza-secco-open-debate-press-release\/","title":{"rendered":"Ongoing Crisis in Gaza \u2013 SecCo Open Debate \u2013 Press release"},"content":{"rendered":"
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9451ST MEETING (AM & PM)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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SC\/15462<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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24 OCTOBER 2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Note:\u00a0 A complete summary of today\u2019s Security Council open debate will be made available after its conclusion.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Briefings<\/u><\/p>\n

ANT\u00d3NIO GUTERRES,\u00a0Secretary-General of the United Nations<\/u>, warned that the situation in the Middle East grew more dire by the hour, with the war in Gaza raging, and risking spiralling throughout the region. \u00a0\u201cAt a crucial moment like this, it is vital to be clear on principles \u2014 starting with the fundamental principle of respecting and protecting civilians,\u201d he stressed. \u00a0Recalling his unequivocal condemnation of the horrifying and unprecedented 7\u00a0October acts of terror by Hamas in Israel, he stated, \u201cnothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians \u2014 or the launching of rockets against civilian targets.\u201d\u00a0 All hostages must be treated humanely and released immediately and without conditions, he said, noting the presence of members of their families.<\/p>\n

The attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum, with the Palestinian people being subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation, during which they saw their land devoured by settlements and plagued by violence; their economy stifled; their people displaced; their homes demolished, and their hopes for a political solution vanishing, he went on. \u00a0However, the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas. \u00a0\u201cAnd those appalling attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people,\u201d he said, emphasizing: \u00a0\u201cEven war has rules.\u201d \u00a0All parties must uphold and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law; take constant care in the conduct of military operations to spare civilians; and respect and protect hospitals and respect the inviolability of United Nations facilities which today are sheltering more than 600,000 Palestinians.<\/p>\n

He went on to voice deep alarm over the relentless bombardment of Gaza by Israeli forces, the level of civilian casualties and the mounting destruction of entire neighbourhoods, underscoring the importance of protecting civilians in any armed conflict. \u00a0\u201cProtecting civilians can never mean using them as human shields,\u201d he said, adding: \u00a0\u201cProtecting civilians does not mean ordering more than 1\u00a0million people to evacuate to the south, where there is no shelter, no food, no water, no medicine and no fuel, and then continuing to bomb the south itself.\u201d \u00a0Voicing concern over the clear violations of international humanitarian law being witnessed in Gaza, he said, \u201cLet me be clear:\u00a0 No party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law.\u201d \u00a0While some humanitarian relief is finally getting into Gaza, it represented \u201ca drop of aid in an ocean of need\u201d. \u00a0United Nations fuel supplies in Gaza will run out in a matter of days, he said, adding: \u00a0\u201cThat would be another disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n

The people of Gaza need continuous aid delivery at a level that corresponds to the enormous needs, he continued, adding: \u00a0\u201cThat aid must be delivered without restrictions.\u201d \u00a0He commended his United Nations colleagues and humanitarian partners in Gaza risking their lives to provide aid to those in need, stressing: \u00a0\u201cTo ease epic suffering, make the delivery of aid easier and safer, and facilitate the release of hostages, I reiterate my appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.\u201d \u00a0Even in \u201cthis moment of grave and immediate danger\u201d, he emphasized that a two-State solution is the only realistic foundation for a true peace and stability. \u00a0Israelis must see their legitimate needs for security materialized, and Palestinians must see their legitimate aspirations for an independent State realized, in line with United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements.<\/p>\n

Finally, he called for human dignity to be upheld. \u00a0Observing that polarization and dehumanization are being fuelled by a tsunami of disinformation, he said, \u201cwe must stand up to the forces of antisemitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and all forms of hate.\u201d \u00a0He noted that today is United Nations Day, marking 78 years since the Charter of the United Nations entered into force, reflecting Members\u2019 shared commitment to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights.\u00a0 At this critical hour, he appealed to all to pull back from the brink before the violence claims even more lives and spreads even farther.<\/p>\n

TOR WENNESLAND,\u00a0Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process<\/u>, expressed his most sincere condolences to the thousands of families \u2014 in Israel, Palestine and across the globe \u2014 including the families of 35\u00a0UN staff killed in Gaza.\u00a0 \u201cThe abhorrent attack launched by Hamas on 7 October and Israel\u2019s devastating, ongoing military operation in Gaza have taken a staggering toll on civilians and deeply shaken Israelis and Palestinians alike,\u201d he said, pointing to the unprecedented events which risk expanding to the wider region.\u00a0 He recounted that on the morning of 7\u00a0October, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched a large-scale, complex assault on Israel, with an estimated 1,500\u00a0Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants from Gaza infiltrating some 20\u00a0Israeli communities and military facilities in the Gaza periphery by land, sea and air, while thousands of rockets were launched towards central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.<\/p>\n

\u201cTestimony and evidence emerging from that tragic day reveal a sickening killing spree, designed to terrorize, with appalling scenes of brutality, massacres and hostage-taking, including against infants and young children,\u201d he said, reporting that in all, Hamas and other Palestinian militant-groups killed over 1,400\u00a0Israelis and foreign nationals \u2014 the bloodiest attack in Israel\u2019s history. \u00a0At least 220\u00a0civilians, including women and children, as well as soldiers, were abducted and taken into the Gaza Strip as hostages, he added, welcoming the release of four hostages and recognizing the important role of Qatar in that regard. \u00a0Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in Gaza have continued to launch indiscriminate rocket fire from there into Israel, and to date, according to Israeli sources, some 7,700\u00a0rockets have been launched.\u00a0 \u201cOn the day of the attack, Israel\u2019s Security Cabinet declared a state of war for the first time in over 50\u00a0years, with the aim of \u2018the destruction of the military and governing capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad\u2019,\u201d he recalled, adding that that same day, Israeli forces began a massive bombardment of what they said were Hamas sites throughout Gaza.<\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s air assault in the Strip has continued to date, with some 5,000\u00a0such sites targeted, according to the Israel Defense Forces, he reported, further recalling that, on 8\u00a0October, Israel\u2019s Minister for Defense announced a complete siege of Gaza, blocking all entry of goods, including electricity, water, food and fuel. \u00a0The air strikes have been devastating, he stressed, noting that, thus far, the Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported over 5,000\u00a0Palestinians killed, including over 1,100 women, 2,000\u00a0children as well as journalists, medical workers and first responders, with more than 15,000\u00a0injured. \u00a0Over 1\u00a0million Palestinians have been displaced, he added, noting that the level of physical destruction has left entire neighbourhoods in rubble and critical infrastructure destroyed or damaged. \u00a0Schools, including United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(UNRWA) schools, and hospitals \u2014 many sheltering displaced Palestinians \u2014 have been hit. \u00a0Underlining the immense humanitarian impact, he welcomed Egypt\u2019s facilitation to open the Rafah border crossing on 21\u00a0October and echoed the Secretary-General\u2019s appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe risk of a significant further deterioration of the situation in the occupied West Bank or spillover of the conflict in the region remains significant,\u201d he warned, emphasizing that the already worrying violence in the occupied West Bank has increased since the outbreak of war. \u00a0Israeli authorities have imposed widespread movement restrictions and conducted extensive arrests. \u00a0High numbers of daily clashes and armed exchanges between Palestinians and Israeli security forces and settlers have been recorded, as well as settler-related violence and Palestinian attacks against Israelis. \u00a0\u201cMeanwhile, across the Blue Line, and amid heightened rhetoric from actors on the ground, there have been daily intermittent but intense exchanges of fire since 8\u00a0October,\u201d he said, reporting that Hizbullah, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have launched rockets and anti-tank missiles towards Israel, while Israel Defense Forces responded with artillery fire and air strikes, leading to casualties on both sides. \u00a0On the Golan, the Israel Defense Forces responded on 10\u00a0October with artillery and mortar shells towards what they said were a number of launches from Syria towards Israel. \u00a0The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force\u00a0(UNDOF) continues to engage with both parties, urging them to exercise maximum restraint and respect their obligations under the 1974\u00a0Agreement on the Disengagement of Forces, he said.<\/p>\n

He and the Secretary-General have been pursuing any and every opportunity to address the situation on the ground and to prevent further civilian death and misery, he said, stressing: \u00a0\u201cIt is critical, that we, as a united international community, employ all our collective efforts to end the bloodletting and prevent any further expansion of hostilities \u2014 including in the region.\u201d \u00a0He appealed to all relevant actors to act responsibly as \u201cany miscalculation could have immeasurable consequences\u201d. \u00a0Pointing to the unresolved conflict and continued occupation, he said: \u00a0\u201cFor 15\u00a0years, the population has been living under militant rule and a strict closure regime, as the Palestinian divide hardened. \u00a0For a generation, hope has been lost and despair has prevailed for those who see prospects for a more peaceful future pulling still further away.\u201d \u00a0Stressing that only a political solution will move the international community forward, he said: \u00a0\u201cThe steps we take to address this crisis must be implemented in a way that ultimately advances a negotiated peace that fulfils the legitimate national aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis \u2014 the long-held vision of two-States, in line with UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements.\u201d<\/p>\n

LYNN HASTINGS,\u00a0Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory<\/u>, briefed the Council that violence is at historically high levels on both sides.\u00a0 In the Gaza Strip, there are nearly 1.4\u00a0million displaced people, nearly 600,000 of which are sheltering in UNRWA facilities \u201cin increasingly dire conditions\u201d, she said.\u00a0The average number of internally displaced people has reached more than two and one half times the capacity.\u00a0\u201cThere is nowhere to seek refuge in Gaza. \u00a0When it comes to decisions on whether and where to flee, civilians are damned if they do and damned if they don\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 She noted that displaced families are reportedly returning to north Gaza because they cannot meet their basic needs including safety in the south.<\/p>\n

According to the Gaza Ministry of Housing, at least 42\u00a0per\u00a0cent of all housing units in the Gaza Strip have been either destroyed or damaged since 7\u00a0October, calling into question the ability of people to return to their homes.\u00a0 Gaza remains under a full electricity blackout.\u00a0 Hospitals are on the brink of collapse.\u00a0 Doctors are forced to operate without anaesthesia.\u00a0 Since 7\u00a0October, 16 health workers in Gaza have reportedly been killed and 30 injured while on duty, she said.<\/p>\n

She said that the agreement to allow essential humanitarian supplies into Gaza via the Rafah crossing with Egypt, has provided a glimmer of hope to people living in appalling conditions.\u00a0 But she added that these deliveries are a drop in the bucket compared to the vast scale of needs.\u00a0 They amount to no more than 4\u00a0per\u00a0cent of the daily average volume of commodities entering Gaza prior to these hostilities. \u00a0\u201cNeeds are now, of course, significantly greater.\u201d\u00a0 Most crucially, these deliveries do not include fuel that is essential for powering the services needed for people to survive.\u00a0 Without fuel our humanitarian operation will stop, she said:\u00a0 \u201cNo fuel means no functioning hospitals, no desalination of water and no baking. \u00a0Many people are drinking on saline groundwater, increasing the risks of diarrhoea, cholera, and other health issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

She called on Israel to bring water and electricity supplies back to pre-conflict levels and work with her teams to find a secure way of bringing fuel into Gaza.\u00a0 \u00a0While the UN negotiates with the Government of Israel, it has 400,000 litres of trucks ready to go, which would provide fuel for approximately two and a half more days, she noted.\u00a0 For Gazans to get access to adequate food, water, medical care and other essential supplies, we must be able to scale up deliveries of all goods, and we must be able to replenish fuel supplies, she said. \u00a0\u201cIt will be important also that the Israeli crossings for the movement of people and goods are opened.\u201d \u00a0She urged the Member States to redouble funding to UNRWA and other humanitarian agencies on the ground without delay and called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire \u201cto ease this epic human suffering\u201d.<\/p>\n

Statements<\/u><\/p>\n

RIAD AL-MALIKI,\u00a0Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine<\/u>,\u00a0urged to stop the killing and massacres being committed against his people.\u00a0 He said that the ongoing massacres perpetrated by Israel, the occupying Power, against the Palestinian civilian population under its illegal occupation must be stopped. \u00a0\u201cThe Security Council has a duty to stop them. \u00a0The international community is obliged under international law to stop them. \u00a0It is our collective human duty to stop them \u2014 now. \u00a0Continued failure at this Council is inexcusable,\u201d he emphasized, praising the efforts of the UN agencies and humanitarian staff on the ground, particularly UNRWA, and mourning the senseless killing of UNRWA staff and other humanitarian workers, including doctors, nurses and paramedics who were directly targeted by the ongoing barbarous aggression.<\/p>\n

He stressed that over 2\u00a0million Palestinians are on a survival mission every day and every night. \u00a0\u201cBy the time representatives are done delivering their speeches today, 150\u00a0Palestinians will have been killed, including 60\u00a0children,\u201d he said, adding that, in the last two weeks, over 5,000\u00a0Palestinians have been killed, including over 2,300\u00a0children and 1,300\u00a0women. \u00a0\u201cAlmost all those killed by Israel are civilians,\u201d he underscored, also spotlighting over 1\u00a0million Palestinians displaced and 170,000\u00a0housing units destroyed. \u00a0He went on to state that only international law and peace are worthy of unconditional support. \u00a0\u201cMore injustice and more killing will not make Israel safer,\u201d he stressed, adding that no amount of weapons and no alliance will bring to it security, but only peace with Palestine and its people will.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fate of the Palestinian people cannot continue to be dispossession, displacement, denial of rights and death,\u201d he emphasized, adding that the freedom of the Palestinians is the condition of shared peace and security. \u00a0\u201cFor those actively engaged to avoid an even greater humanitarian catastrophe and regional spillover, it must be clear that this can only be achieved by putting an immediate end to the Israeli war launched against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip,\u201d he said, urging to stop the bloodshed.\u00a0 \u201cPeace and security cannot and will not be achieved by crushing the skulls of infants\u201d or through \u201cwiping out Gaza\u201d or \u201cturning it into a hell\u201d or \u201creducing its area\u201d, as has been announced repeatedly by everyone who carries out these killing and destruction.\u00a0 It will also not materialize by arming thousands of terrorist settlers and encouraging them to continue their terror attacks against our people in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, he stated.<\/p>\n

He stressed that the urgent solution required from the Council today is to call for a ceasefire, an immediate cessation of the Israeli aggression, to work urgently to secure humanitarian access in all parts of the Gaza Strip, to end the forced displacement, to provide international protection for the Palestinian people and to achieve justice through accountability. \u00a0He also called for the necessary practical measures to address the root causes of the issue and end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory with Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian State as per the Council\u2019s resolutions and as per the peace process and international law, and also empowering the Palestinians to enjoy their inalienable rights, including the return of refugees and self-determination, as per General Assembly resolution\u00a0194\u00a0(III). \u00a0 \u201cAll eyes are fixed on Gaza, do not fail the test,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n

ELI COHEN,\u00a0Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel<\/u>, said that young babies and children are held in Gaza, a situation beyond imagination. \u00a0These children and babies have not caused evil, but they are victims of evil, he said, adding that Saturday, 7\u00a0October \u2014 when more than 1,500 terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad infiltrated Israel and killed more than 1,400 men, women and children, wounding more than 4,000 \u2014 will go down in history as a brutal massacre and a wakeup call to the free world. \u00a0They went from house to house, slaughtering entire families and individuals in their beds, people on their way to synagogues, raping women, burning them alive, he said. \u00a0\u201cHamas are the new Nazis,\u201d he said, and the civilized world must stand united behind Israel to defeat them. \u00a0Qatar, which finances Hamas, could influence and enable the immediate and unconditional release of the more than 220 hostages held by the terrorists, he said, adding that members of the international community should demand that Qatar does just that.<\/p>\n

Israel gave Palestinians Gaza down to the last millimetre \u2014 there is no dispute regarding the land of Gaza, he said. \u00a0But they took the money they received from the world and instead of building hospitals, office buildings and commercial centres, they took the money to dig tunnels and to build rocket factories, he said. \u00a0\u201cÉñÂíÎçÒ¹¸£ÀûÍø to these monsters \u2014 the West is next,\u201d he said, adding that the war which was imposed on Israel is \u201cnot just Israel\u2019s war. \u00a0It\u2019s the war of the free world.\u201d \u00a0As for calls for proportionality or a ceasefire, what is the proportional response to the killing of babies, for the raping and burning of women, for beheading a child, he asked, adding that the proportional response to the 7\u00a0October massacre is the total destruction of Hamas. \u00a0The free world should remember and never forget what happened on 7\u00a0October. \u00a0Today this barbaric terror happened in Israel; tomorrow it will be on everyone\u2019s doorstep, he said. \u00a0\u201cWe have not chosen this war. \u00a0But have no doubt. \u00a0We are going to win it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

As Iran\u2019s proxy, Hamas had three objectives for its barbaric attack: \u00a0the murder of Jews, the kidnapping of hostages and the derailment of peace, stability and normalization in the region, he said, adding that Israeli citizens are under heavy missile and rocket fire from Gaza. \u00a0Meanwhile, there is a clear attempt to escalate and provoke a war on Israel\u2019s northern border where the Iran proxy Hezbollah is targeting Israeli cities, he said. \u00a0Last week, cruise missiles were launched at Israel from Yemen. \u00a0Have no illusion who is behind it or what is the reason, he said. \u00a0The international community must understand who is under threat and who is the aggressor, he added. \u00a0\u201cThe world now faces a clear choice of moral clarity: \u00a0one can either be part of the civilized world or surrender to the forces of evil and barbarism,\u201d he said. \u00a0\u201cThere is no middle ground. \u00a0No room for moral ambiguity.\u201d<\/p>\n

He thanked Member States who had designated Hamas a terror organization and called on others to do so immediately. \u00a0He also thanked United States President Joseph R. Biden and United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken for showing moral clarity and standing with Israel at this dark hour. \u00a0He said if all nations do not stand decisively and clearly with Israel to “eliminate these monsters from the face of the Earth\u201d after the most brutal and vicious terror attack in modern history, this will be \u201cthe darkest hour of the UN\u201d and the United Nations will \u201chave no moral justification to exist\u201d.<\/p>\n

MAURO VIEIRA,\u00a0Minister for Foreign Affairs of Brazil<\/u>, and President of the Council for October, speaking in his national capacity and echoing his President\u2019s appeal that \u201cthere needs to be a minimum of humanity in the insanity of war\u201d, said the situation is both a hostage and humanitarian crisis. \u00a0While the world mourns the passing of innocent people including Brazilians, he said, it cannot condone acts of terrorism, as violence only breeds more violence. \u00a0Brazil therefore calls for an immediate and unconditional release of all civilian hostages, particularly women and children. \u00a0He added that dealing with the situation must include respect for human rights, humanitarian law and refugee law. \u00a0Highlighting the situation with regards to power supply, health facilities, and access to drinking water, he said the fundamental principles of distinction, proportionality, humanity, necessity and precaution must guide and inform all actions and military operations and urged the Council to not lose sight of the root causes of the conflict.<\/p>\n

He said achieving peace requires strict adherence to international law as well as working towards the two-State solution. \u00a0Israel must stop all settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territories including East Jerusalem. \u00a0He underscored the importance of preserving the historical status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint. \u00a0Brazil is committed to UNRWA, and believes diplomacy and dialogue remain as the most powerful assets. \u00a0Decrying the fact that the Security Council has not passed a resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian situation since 2016, he urged the Council to not shy away from its responsibility in the situation. \u00a0\u201cWe need solutions, no matter how politically difficult they may be. \u00a0A peaceful and prosperous Middle East is to the benefit of all of us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

ANTONY J. BLINKEN,\u00a0Secretary of State of the United States<\/u>\u00a0said he had put forth a resolution containing practical steps to address the crisis, building on elements of the text by Brazil. \u00a0First, it recognizes the right and imperative of States to defend themselves against terrorism, and condemns Hamas\u2019 terrorist attack against Israel, during which, he said, \u201cyoung people were gunned down with glee, young people were beheaded, parents were executed in front of their parents, and children were executed in front of their parents, and so many were taken hostage.\u201d \u00a0In this context, he said, \u201cit must be asked: \u00a0where is the outrage? Where is the explicit condemnation of these horrors?\u201d \u00a0The Council must denounce Member States arming, funding or training Hamas. \u00a0Noting that the violence had affected United Nations employees, and many Member States, including Council Members, he said: \u00a0\u201cEvery one of us has a stake and responsibility in defeating terror.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Israel has \u201cthe right and indeed the obligation to defend itself\u201d, Palestinian civilians must be protected, and Hamas must cease to use them as human shields, he continued. \u00a0Food, medicine and water must flow into Gaza, and humanitarian pauses must be considered. \u00a0On that, he highlighted efforts by his Government\u2019s recently appointed Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues, David Satterfield, and the United States\u2019 additional $100\u00a0million aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, bringing the total aid provided this year to Palestinians to $1.6\u00a0billion. \u00a0\u201cA civilian is a civilian is a civilian, no matter their nationality, gender, or faith,\u201d he said. \u00a0He welcomed the release of four hostages and implored all Council members to use their leverage to secure the release of the 200 hostages still in the grip of Hamas. \u00a0Member States must also send a united message to those considering opening another front to the conflict; \u201cDon\u2019t throw fuel on the fire,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Pointing to Iran\u2019s support to Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, he stressed: \u00a0\u201cThe United States does not seek conflict with Iran but if it or its proxies attack United States personnel, we will defend our people and our security swiftly and decisively.\u201d \u00a0The two-State solution is the only way to break out of the cycle of violence and achieve broader regional security, he said, adding: \u00a0\u201cTwo paths lie before us \u2014 one path is offered by Hamas, and it leads to death, destruction, and darkness. \u00a0The other is the path to greater peace, normalization and integration; the path to the Palestinians\u2019 right to self-determination and a state of their own.\u201d \u00a0Hamas does not get to choose the path the world takes, he stressed.<\/p>\n

CATHERINE COLONNA,\u00a0Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France<\/u>\u00a0said: \u00a0\u201cIt is our duty to condemn unambiguously Hamas\u2019 terrorist attack and that of other terrorist groups against Israel.\u201d\u00a0 Hamas\u2019 7\u00a0October attack also struck France, she said, noting that 30 French people died and another nine of its nationals are missing and reportedly being held hostage.\u00a0 She called once again for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.\u00a0She affirmed her country\u2019s solidarity with Israel and underscored its right to defend itself and protect its people, while noting that Israel must do so while respecting international law, in particular international humanitarian law.\u00a0 Hamas in no way represents the Palestinians, she emphasized, underscoring that it is the duty of the international community, including Israel, to guarantee the ongoing provision to civilians in Gaza of basic goods: \u00a0water, food, medicine and fuel.\u00a0 She urged the international community to guarantee safe, swift, unimpeded and sustainable humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, and uphold international humanitarian law and its principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.<\/p>\n

France, like the European Union, has increased its humanitarian assistance, she said, noting that, since the start of the crisis, it has mobilized an additional \u20ac20\u00a0million in supplementary humanitarian aid for the population of Gaza, through UNRWA, the World Food Programme\u00a0(WFP), the International Committee of the Red Cross\u00a0(ICRC) and non-governmental organizations.\u00a0 It has also chartered a special flight with emergency humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, to assist Egypt\u2019s efforts, adding that her country\u2019s total aid to the Palestinians will reach \u20ac100\u00a0million in 2023.\u00a0 Stressing that certain stakeholders must refrain from benefiting from the current situation, she cautioned them against any regional escalation that would drag the region into a downward spiral. \u00a0Pointing to the well-known conditions for lasting peace, she stressed that the only viable solution is the two-State solution and called on the Council to fully exercise its responsibility to that end.<\/p>\n

R\u00c9GIS MICHEL M. ONANGA NDIAYE,\u00a0Minister for Foreign Affairs of Gabon<\/u>, urged captors to release all hostages.\u00a0 He said the siege of Gaza \u201cis pushing the levels human distress to an unbearable scale\u201d and called for health facilities and personnel to be protected.\u00a0The recent delivery of aid is \u201ca glimmer of hope for the millions of people in Gaza clamped within the vice-like grip of the warring parties\u201d, he said.\u00a0 He welcomed efforts by Egypt and the United States to this end and appealed for the continuous opening of the Rafah crossing point.\u00a0 He regretted that the Council had not reached consensus on resolutions on the conflict.\u00a0 \u201cGabon believes that it is high time for humanity to prevail over political and geopolitical alliances.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said the continued policy of expanding settlements, demolitions and expulsions \u2014 particularly in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem \u2014 the blockade of Gaza, religious provocations, terrorist attacks on Israeli soil, the recurrence of bellicose speech and the freezing of tax funds collected by Israel from the Palestinian Authority on its behalf, are major obstacles to building a just and lasting peace. \u00a0The manifest violations of international law and Security Council resolutions, notably resolutions\u00a01860\u00a0(2009) and 2334\u00a0(2016), must urgently cease.\u00a0He reaffirmed his country\u2019s commitment to the two-State solution.<\/p>\n

IGLI HASANI,\u00a0Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania<\/u>, said that his country stands with Israel, like with every other nation under attack in its legitimate right to self-defence in accordance with international humanitarian law.\u00a0 \u201cIn such difficult and defining moments, Israel and its people need the support of the community of the free nations in responding to terrorists who have committed horrible crimes and continue to question its right to exist,\u201d he stressed, adding that innocent lives matter equally, be they Israeli or Palestinian. \u00a0Hamas, their leaders who live a comfortable life outside Gaza and their supporters knew very well what they were doing when they unleashed \u201cthe beasts to kill, burn, massacre and kidnap everyone they could,\u201d he said, emphasizing that their hope and their win would be to make the world turn against Israel.\u00a0 There is only one party that is rejoicing with what is happening. \u00a0It is the country known to sponsor of terrorism, in Gaza, in West Bank, in Yemen, in Lebanon, in Syria, anywhere they can, he said without naming the country.<\/p>\n

He was worried by a frightening increase, to very dangerous levels, of antisemitism \u2014 fuelled by hatred, misinformation and disinformation \u2014 particularly through social media, urging the world to \u201cnot stay indifferent in face of calls and behaviours that come from the Nazi playbooks.\u201d\u00a0 He welcomed arrangements made so far for humanitarian convoys into Gaza, stressing \u201cefforts must continue and diplomacy must always prevail\u201d, and commending the efforts of Egypt, United States, Israel and the UN Secretary-General in this regard. \u00a0Welcoming the release of hostages with the assistance of Qatar, he said: \u00a0\u201cIsrael needs and deserves security; Palestinians need and deserve their State.\u201d \u00a0Albania reiterates its support for two States for two peoples, he underscored.<\/p>\n

IAN BORG,\u00a0Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta<\/u>, acknowledged Israel\u2019s right to self-defence while also emphasizing that Israel must oblige by international humanitarian law. \u00a0He welcomed the release of four hostages and called on Hamas to release the remaining captives safely and unconditionally without delay. \u00a0He went on to express grave concern over the current humanitarian situation in Gaza. \u00a0Thousands of Palestinians have been killed, he said, and condemned all attacks against civilians, medical and humanitarian workers, United Nations personnel as well as religious places and civilian infrastructure. \u00a0He called for an independent investigation into the blast at Al Ahli Arab Hospital on 18\u00a0October. \u00a0He expressed deep concern over Israel\u2019s decision to cut off water, electricity, food and fuel to Gaza. \u00a0This action is resulting in dire humanitarian consequences for the civilian population and will inevitably lead to a public health catastrophe, he said.<\/p>\n

He stressed the need for unimpeded, sustained delivery of humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing and the establishment of humanitarian corridors and commended efforts by the United Nations, Egypt and the United States, strongly reiterating a call for the establishment of an immediate humanitarian pause. \u00a0\u201cThe legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people should not be confused with the extremist ideology of Hamas,\u201d he said. \u00a0\u201cIt is crucial that this distinction is made clear to all to avoid further inflammatory polarization and potentials of regional escalation.\u201d \u00a0He added that since 7\u00a0October, killing and forced displacement of Palestinians has sharply increased, including through settler violence and hundreds of arrests.<\/p>\n

MAYA TISSAFI,\u00a0State Secretary of Switzerland<\/u>, said that, as the depositary of the Geneva Conventions, her country prioritizes the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law. \u00a0\u201cWe are committed to a Council that, even in times of emergency \u2014 and especially in times of emergency \u2014 makes respect for international humanitarian law a priority,\u201d she said. \u00a0Switzerland calls for an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages in Gaza as it recognizes Israel\u2019s legitimate concern for national defence and security. \u00a0\u201cWe remind the parties of the binding nature of all its rules, without exception, in particular the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in the conduct of hostilities. \u00a0Joining the Secretary-General to unequivocally condemn the incident at the Al Ahli Arab Hospital, she called for an investigation to be carried out so that the facts can be clarified, also stressing the need to protect civilians and investigate all violations of international law, so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.<\/p>\n

She said her country is rapidly mobilizing additional funds for ICRC and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to address the catastrophic\u00a0 humanitarian situation in Gaza. \u00a0It is imperative that adequate volumes of aid enter Gaza and that rapid, full, safe and unhindered access is allowed and facilitated in line with international humanitarian law. \u00a0Humanitarian pauses are also necessary.\u00a0 She further called on the Council to \u201cexert our influence on the parties to prevent an even more serious escalation, or even a regionalisation of the conflict\u201d.<\/p>\n

TOM TUGENDHAT,\u00a0Minister of State for Security of the United Kingdom<\/u>, observing that the events of the past 17\u00a0days have shocked all those who value the dignity of human life, said: \u00a0\u201cIsrael is a nation in mourning. \u00a0It is also a nation under attack.\u201d \u00a0The violence did not end on 7\u00a0October, he said, noting terrorist rockets still raining down on Israeli towns, and around 200\u00a0of its citizens are held hostage in Gaza, some of whom are British citizens. \u00a0Palestinians are suffering, too, he said, noting that thousands have been killed in the conflict, while more than 1\u00a0million have been displaced. \u00a0\u201cWe know that Hamas are using innocent Palestinian civilians as human shields; they have embedded themselves in civilian communities,\u201d he said, adding that the group cares more about the opinions of their paymasters in Tehran than their fellow citizens. \u00a0The United Kingdom stands with Israel in defending itself against terror.<\/p>\n

He underscored the urgent need for sustained, unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza, for civilians to receive life-saving support. The recent opening of the Rafah crossing to aid trucks, while welcome, is not enough. \u00a0He echoed the Secretary-General\u2019s call for sustainable and adequate humanitarian access, observing the desperate need for \u201ca constant stream\u201d of water, fuel, medicine and food. \u00a0The United Kingdom has committed $37\u00a0million of extra support for civilians in Gaza. \u00a0The conflict must not engulf the wider region, he said, noting attacks by Hizbullah to the north of Israel and rising tensions in the West Bank, among other worrying signs. \u00a0\u201cNow is the time for dogged diplomacy that recognizes the hard realities on the ground and delivers help now,\u201d he stressed. \u00a0Voicing support for a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian State, he stressed: \u00a0\u201cHope and humanity must win out.\u201d<\/p>\n

REEM EBRAHIM AL HASHIMY,\u00a0Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates<\/u>, stressed that every diplomatic effort must be made, and all capabilities harnessed to achieve an immediate and sustainable ceasefire. \u00a0Pointing to growing tensions in the region, including in southern Lebanon, the Red Sea and the occupied Syrian Golan, she warned that \u201can unchecked slide into regional war risks ominous outcomes\u201d that will threaten regional security and affect stability around the world.\u00a0 As such, regional and international efforts must focus on de-escalation and restoring calm as soon as possible, she stressed, welcoming the 21\u00a0October Cairo Summit for Peace. \u00a0Immediate, safe, sustainable and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid must be allowed to enter the Gaza Strip in a manner that meets the basic needs, she stressed, voicing appreciation for the support to aid delivery of Egypt and the UN.\u00a0She pointed out, however, that the small number of trucks that have crossed into the Gaza Strip in recent days does not meet the massive needs on the ground and represent only 4\u00a0per\u00a0cent of the volume of commodities that used to enter before the outbreak of this crisis.<\/p>\n

Stressing that the attacks launched by Hamas on 7\u00a0October are barbaric and heinous, she demanded that the group release hostages immediately and unconditionally. \u00a0Hamas\u2019 crimes against civilians can never justify the policy of collective punishment towards the Gaza Strip, she underscored, stressing that Israel must respect its obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians. \u00a0She reiterated once again her country\u2019s unequivocal rejection of Israel\u2019s order to evacuate more than 1\u00a0million people from northern to southern Gaza and demanded that those orders be cancelled. \u00a0Stressing that the Gaza Strip has been under siege for more than 17\u00a0years, she asked: \u00a0\u201cShould we leave the people of the region to live in a series of wars, violence and hatred accumulated from one generation to the next?\u201d \u00a0She urged the adoption of a resolution calling for an immediate and sustainable humanitarian ceasefire, and serious work after that to find a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the conflict that allows both people to live in lasting peace and security.<\/p>\n

VASSILY A. NEBENZIA (Russian Federation<\/u>) said \u201cthe scale of the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip has exceeded all of our worst imaginations.\u201d\u00a0 We all face the more urgent challenge to stop the violence and ensure the supply of humanitarian assistance to Gazans who face arbitrary strikes by Israel and violations of international humanitarian law.\u00a0 He noted that the Russian Federation draft resolution for a ceasefire was not passed earlier in October, with ongoing violence as the result.\u00a0 The world is expecting a call for a swift and unconditional ceasefire from the Council, which is not in the current draft resolution from the United States.\u00a0 \u201cTherefore, we don\u2019t see any point in it and we cannot support it.\u201d\u00a0For the Council to carry out its main purpose, the Russian Federation has prepared an alternative draft resolution based on humanitarian language with important elements from the United States, Brazil and the first Russian Federation drafts.\u00a0 He asked the Presidency of the Council to put it to a vote straight after the United States draft.<\/p>\n

HERN\u00c1N P\u00c9REZ LOOSE (Ecuador<\/u>) praised the efforts of the Secretary-General and others who have made the delivery of humanitarian aid possible, as well as the release of some hostages, and demanded that all hostages taken by Hamas be released immediately and unconditionally. \u00a0He noted that the situations in the West Bank and on the border between Lebanon and Israel are particularly disquieting.\u00a0 \u201cThis Security Council must not become an arena for rivalries, but rather, it must be a space for building peace, and peace in the Middle East is one of the principle pending questions that we have,\u201d he said, underscoring that almost eight decades of conflict and thousands of deaths are the clearest evidence that violence is not the solution. \u00a0He reiterated that the only way to end this conflict is through a peaceful, negotiated, definitive and just solution for the parties, with the existence of two States, Palestine and Israel, on the basis of the 1967\u00a0borders and the relevant resolutions.<\/p>\n

ZHANG JUN (China<\/u>) said more than 2\u00a0million lives in Gaza hang by a thread and called on the Security Council to demand an immediate ceasefire. \u00a0Whatever the justification, if the fighting in Gaza is allowed to continue, the result will not be a military victory for either side but a catastrophe that consumes the entire region, he said. \u00a0The Security Council must do everything in its power to achieve peace rather implicitly green-light further escalation, he said. \u00a0He appreciated the efforts by Egypt, other countries and Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres to help open humanitarian corridors, though he warned that assistance is just a drop in the bucket. \u00a0The Security Council must use its most unequivocal language to require the occupying Power to immediately lift the siege of Gaza, restore water, electricity and fuel supplies, and stop the collective punishment of the population in Gaza, he said, urging Israel to stop air strikes and ensure safe aid delivery and the lifting of the evacuation order for northern Gaza.<\/p>\n

ISHIKANE KIMIHIRO (Japan<\/u>), condemning the attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, called for an immediate release of hostages and a redoubling of diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict and prevent a regional spillover. \u00a0All parties must comply with international law and address the humanitarian situation in Gaza while also protecting medical and humanitarian personnel. \u00a0Japan supports any diplomatic activities that can lead towards de\u2011escalation and an improvement of the humanitarian situation, including the Cairo Summit for Peace and ongoing negotiations to free hostages. \u00a0He also called for humanitarian corridors to be set up to continue the delivery of life-saving assistance to the Palestinian people in Gaza. \u00a0He urged the Council to act with unity, saying that its silence is unacceptable and emphasizing that the conflict demonstrates the importance of the two-State solution.\u00a0\u201cWhat we need now is to help innocent lives, not political gain,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

CAROLYN OPPONG-NTIRI (Ghana<\/u>), noting that today is United Nations Day, said it is regrettable that the Council has failed to reach consensus on a comprehensive humanitarian response.\u00a0 She recalled that, after the 7\u00a0October attacks launched by Hamas in southern Israel and the abduction of Israeli citizens and nationals of other countries, Ghana condemned the actions of Hamas and called on the group to cease its attacks and release the hostages without condition. \u00a0Commending the efforts of the Secretary-General, the leaders of Egypt, Israel and the United States, and the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator in negotiating the opening of the Rafah border crossing, she appealed to the Government of Israel to allow more humanitarian aid deliveries, especially fuel, which is badly needed to power Gaza\u2019s health centres and water-treatment plants.<\/p>\n

PEDRO COMISS\u00c1RIO AFONSO (Mozambique<\/u>) said the situation in the Gaza Strip since 7\u00a0October has been concerning, and remains volatile and dangerous, adding: \u00a0\u201cIt is a humanitarian crisis that has been ongoing for years, with many innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.\u201d \u00a0Associating himself with the Council\u2019s efforts to protect civilians and respect international law, he underscored the urgent need to open humanitarian access corridors, and ensure access to water, electricity, food and medicine. \u00a0All parties must de-escalate tension, halt the attacks, stop the suffering in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Gaza Strip and allow humanitarian access. \u00a0\u201cThe humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is unfolding before our eyes,\u201d he said, reiterating the importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. \u00a0The Council must work together to contain the conflict, end the cycle of violence and prevent a regional escalation. \u00a0\u201cWe must support the strengthening of the Palestinian Authority, which represents the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

9451ST MEETING (AM & PM) SC\/15462 24 OCTOBER 2023 Note:\u00a0 A complete summary of today\u2019s Security Council open debate will be made available after its conclusion. Briefings ANT\u00d3NIO GUTERRES,\u00a0Secretary-General of the United Nations, warned that the situation in the Middle East grew more dire by the hour, with the war in Gaza raging, and risking […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":301,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[1329,1338],"document-source":[1753,5909,2169,5352,1362,6169,1877],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[1769,5449,1829,2265,2033,2005,1741,5200,2613,1961,2349,6845,2385,2729,2117,6251,1841],"entity":[],"document-language":[],"class_list":["post-290031","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-press-release","document-category-statement","document-source-ceirpp","document-source-humanitarian-coordinator-for-the-occupied-palestinian-territory","document-source-office-for-the-coordination-of-humanitarian-affairs-ocha","document-source-secretary-general","document-source-security-council","document-source-united-nations-department-of-global-communications","document-source-united-nations-special-coordinator-for-the-middle-east-peace-process-unsco","document-subject-armed-conflict","document-subject-assistance-to-the-palestinian-people","document-subject-casualties","document-subject-ceasefire","document-subject-children","document-subject-gaza-strip","document-subject-human-rights-and-international-humanitarian-law","document-subject-humanitarian-relief","document-subject-internally-displaced-persons","document-subject-jerusalem","document-subject-living-conditions","document-subject-protection-of-civilians","document-subject-security-issues","document-subject-shelter","document-subject-terrorism","document-subject-west-bank","document-subject-women"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/290031","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/301"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/290031\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":290032,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/290031\/revisions\/290032"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=290031"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=290031"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=290031"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=290031"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=290031"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=290031"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=290031"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=290031"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}