Security Council: Middle East, including the Palestinian question
(Note: A full summary of this meeting will be available at a later time following the meeting's conclusion.)
The Security Council met this morning to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine.
THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE
Briefing
MARTIN GRIFFITHS, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said “each day that passes only deepens the misery and suffering of people in Gaza”. The number of people killed in Gaza has reportedly now surpassed 26,000, and the number of injured more than 65,000, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Most are women and children. Just 14 of the 36 hospitals in Gaza are functional, and those only partially, he cautioned, highlighting severe shortages of medical staff and supplies. Moreover, fierce fighting has continued in the vicinity of the Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals in Khan Younis, jeopardizing the safety of medical staff, the wounded and the sick, as well as the thousands of internally displaced persons seeking refuge there. This intense fighting around Khan Younis continues to drive thousands of people into Rafah, which is already hosting over half of Gaza’s population of 2.2 million people. Across Gaza, over 60 per cent of housing units are reportedly destroyed or damaged, with some 75 per cent of the total population displaced.
Painting a grim picture of Gazans’ abominable living conditions, he said heavy rains are flooding the makeshift tent camps, forcing children, parents and the elderly to sleep in the mud. Food insecurity continues to mount and clean water is almost completely inaccessible. With little public health support available, preventable diseases are rife, and will continue to spread. The further spread of hostilities southwards — along with the increasing deprivation and desperation of people there — can only be expected to increase the pressure for mass displacement into neighbouring countries. Some Palestinians in Gaza have already been able to leave through Egypt. Meantime, there are also seriously injured or sick patients unable to receive care in Gaza, and for whom medical evacuations should be swiftly facilitated. He emphasized that any persons displaced from Gaza must be guaranteed the right to voluntarily return.
Citing the ability of the humanitarian community to reach the people of Gaza with relief as “grossly inadequate”, he stressed that “this is not for want of trying”. Despite the hazardous conditions on the ground, his Office is distributing food items to shelters and supporting the remaining bakeries, delivering medicines and medical supplies and helping to relocate patients, as well as delivering water, hygiene kits and cleaning kits, tents, tarpaulin sheets and blankets. But the quantities are far from adequate, he said, stressing that, “if the people of Gaza are to receive anything approaching the amount of humanitarian assistance they need and deserve, urgent steps must be taken”. Accordingly, he called for improved security assurances, enabling safe delivery of supplies, the establishment of a predictable flow of supplies and rapid and unimpeded access. To expedite delivery, humanitarian supplies must be able to enter Gaza via multiple points from Egypt and Israel.
However, “we continue to face the frequent rejection for entry of much needed items into Gaza by Israel, for unclear, inconsistent and often unspecified reasons”. At present, his Office’s access to Khan Younis, the Middle Area and North Gaza is largely absent. The breadth of the humanitarian community — including UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Red Crescent — is collaborating to ensure that aid reaches people in need to the greatest extent possible. “The beating heart of all this is UNRWA,” he said, adding that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has provided shelter, food, water and medical assistance. “All this, even as its own staff are being killed, injured and displaced.”
On the appalling allegations that some UNRWA employees were allegedly involved in the attack in Israel on 7 October, he underlined that they are being addressed transparently. UNRWA has taken swift action, and an investigation is under way. Nevertheless, he emphasized that “UNRWA’s lifesaving services to over three quarters of Gaza’s residents should not be jeopardized by the alleged actions of a few individuals”. Likewise, UNRWA’s support for Palestinians in need in the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, must also be safeguarded. “To put very simply and bluntly: our humanitarian response for the Occupied Palestinian Territory is completely dependent on UNRWA being adequately funded and operational,” he underscored, citing UNRWA’s indispensable role in terms of distribution, warehousing, logistics and human resources, with 3,000 staff responding to the current crisis. “Decisions to withhold funds from UNRWA must be revoked,” he asserted, reiterating his call for a ceasefire.
Statements
The representative of Algeria referring to the “historic decision” by the International Court of justice, said that “the time of impunity has come to an end”. The international community has committed to uphold accountability, he said, emphasizing that the Israeli occupier should not be exempt from facing consequences for its actions and implement the Court’s provisional measures to protect the Palestinian people from genocide. He emphasized that the only way to achieve this is through a ceasefire, warning of grim consequences if the crisis persists: a daily death toll of 250 people with 10 children daily subjected to limb amputations without anaesthetic, and 170 babies born at the gates of hospitals. “Nothing can justify this barbary being visited on the Palestinian people,” he said. The Court’s order reinforced the significance of justice, he stressed, underscoring the responsibility of Israel in ensuring the prompt supply of essential services and humanitarian aid. The Council must swiftly take measures to ensure that “the voice of justice is heard”, he concluded.
The representative of the United States voiced concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, underlining the need to expediate unhindered humanitarian access. Some argued that the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice are a reason to change course; however, the Court’s order is consistent with the United States’ view that Israel has the right to take action to ensure that the terrorist attacks of 7 October cannot be repeated. “Of course, how Israel defends itself matters,” she stressed, noting that the Court echoed repeated calls by Washington, D.C., for Israel to take all possible steps to minimize harm to civilians and humanitarian workers, increase the flow of humanitarian assistance and address dehumanizing rhetoric. Nevertheless, “we must be honest what the Court did not order: specifically, it has not ordered an immediate ceasefire, it has not made any findings that this preliminary phase of the proceedings that Israel committed genocide or otherwise violated the Genocide Convention”, she asserted, citing these allegations as “unfounded”.
Instead, she stressed the need to work towards a durable solution through on-the-ground relentless diplomacy. Washington, D.C., has been working tirelessly with Qatar, Egypt and other regional partners to reach an agreement that would see the hostages come home. Hamas has a choice: “it can continue to dig tunnels, plan for its next attacks (…) or lay down its weapons and accept the proposal on the table to release every hostage”, she said. On the disturbing allegation that 11 UNRWA employees were involved in the 7 October attack, she said it has shaken confidence in the Agency. Calling for swift and credible investigation, she said UNRWA provides life-saving services under incredibly challenging circumstances in Gaza, contributing to regional stability. It is vital that the UN take quick and decisive action, strengthen oversight of UNRWA operations and began to restore donor’s confidence. The United States’ decision to temporarily pause its funding for UNRWA was made independently from other donors. “It was not a punitive measure, but it was a wake-up call,” she said, calling for fundamental changes at UNRWA.
The representative of Guyana expressed concern about the prevailing humanitarian situation, the continuing death and destruction in Gaza. She condemned the 7 October attacks on Israel, while calling for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons without trial. Highlighting the dire conditions, including starvation and disease, faced by those Palestinians who survived attacks, she underscored the need for international efforts, especially from the Council, to end the cycle of bloodshed. Turning to the alleged involvement of several UNRWA staff members in the 7 October attack against Israel, she voiced alarm over halts in funding to the Agency, emphasizing its critical role in providing support to Palestinians in Gaza. “A ceasefire is the first and most important step,” she stressed, highlighting the two-State solution as the ultimate remedy to the continuing crisis.
The representative of the United Kingdom called for an immediate suspension of fighting to get vital aid in and hostages out that progresses towards a permanent, sustainable ceasefire. Her Government again pressed Israel to allow unhindered humanitarian access, while supporting the World Food Programme (WFP) to deliver a humanitarian land corridor from Jordan into Gaza. Welcoming the call of the International Court of Justice for the immediate release of hostages and the need to get more aid into Gaza, she emphasized that “it is for the Court, not countries, to determine genocide”. Nevertheless, “we were troubled by the way in which this action has been taken”, she added. It is vital to pave the way for a two-State solution; form a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package; remove Hamas’ capacity to launch attacks against Israel; secure the release of all Israeli hostages; and ensure that Hamas is no longer in charge of Gaza.
The representative of Switzerland, pointing to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza — a population under siege, subject to bombardments, repeated displacements, famine and epidemics — said “this cannot continue”. She called for an urgent humanitarian ceasefire, as well as the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages. Israel must comply with the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures, especially by taking necessary steps to prevent any act of genocide and any incitement to commit it, she said, while describing as “unacceptable” settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank. She expressed deep concern about “the very serious allegations” against UNRWA employees suspected of involvement in the 7 October attacks, underscoring her country’s “zero tolerance for any support for terrorism”. Citing the urgent need for regional de-escalation, she said the signs are increasingly worrying, particularly on both sides of the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon. “This Council must shoulder its responsibilities,” she said. Switzerland is ready to work towards concerted action in that regard and towards a two-State solution, with Gaza an integral part of a future Palestinian State.
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