Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 25th Jan. UN Security Council on Wednesday held another meeting on the situation in the Middle East, focusing on Gaza humanitarian crisis and war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The council members sent a strong message to work harder to end the war in Gaza and recognize the State of Palestine during a two day debate over the Middle East crisis.
Some 70 delegates voiced serious concerns about the ongoing humanitarian “catastrophe” as the conflict in Gaza.
Council members with wider UN membership established the major theme of the debate: urged Israel to accept a two-State solution or risk a perpetual war which is an increasing threat global stability.
UN chief António Guterres said at the outset of that meeting the Palestinian people’s right to build their own fully independent State must be “recognized by all” and that any refusal to accept the two-State solution by any party must be “firmly rejected”.
“The two-State solution is the only way to address the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians,” he told the Council.
The delegates called for the Council to overcome its veto-led impasse and stop the bloodshed and “humanitarian disaster” in Gaza.
Some members of the Council ensured international peace and security must also hold Israel more accountable for an ongoing “genocide” against Palestinians.
Mauritania Ambassador Sidi Mohamed Laghaf, spoke on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation said the deliberate killing of civilians was indicative of the intent to commit genocide.
He pointed out to the mass destruction of civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and rejected any efforts of forced displacement of Palestinians, which in itself “amounts to a war crime”.
Israel’s denial of essential supplies is already exacerbating a humanitarian catastrophe, and a swift intervention is needed, he said.
The international community must immediately put an end of all these crimes and hold perpetrators accountable, including for the mass detention of Palestinians, in line with international humanitarian law, he added.
“The Council must do more to enforce its own resolutions, prevent further crimes of aggressions and acts that amount to genocide and ensure Israeli respect for and compliance with international law,” he said.
Ambassador Sidi Mohamed Laghaf called for action to end the war, to provide international protection of Palestinians and ensure the creation of a humanitarian corridor.
The only way forward is through a two-State solution, he stated.
Brazilian Ambassador Sérgio França Danese underlined the need “for real diplomacy and true political will” that enables effective multilateral action to end the conflict and forge a path to revive the two-State solution.
“Now, we are witnessing the cruellest war, one that seriously threatens the prospect of a peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians,” he said, calling for “an immediate ceasefire in Gaza before there is nothing left to be saved”.
He said provisional measures requested by South Africa to the International Court of Justice with the aim of preventing the risk of genocide by requiring the immediate ceasefire are urgently needed, a ceasefire does not tackle the root causes of the conflict.
Deputy Permanent Representative of Iraq, Abbas Kadhom Obaid Al-Fatlawi, said the siege and collective punishment of Palestinians continues, and the Council has failed to act, leading to a “humanitarian disaster”.
He said that Israel has been ignoring calls for a ceasefire, even though UN Member States have adopted two resolutions at Emergency Special Sessions to stop the aggression.
The latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territory will have serious consequences in the region, he continued, warning that if ongoing practices persist and the Council fails to shoulder its responsibilities, the conflict will spread beyond the borders.
“Expanding the conflict will not provide a solution,” he said. “The solution lies in the Security Council adopting a resolution to stop this war.”
Syria’s Ambassador, Alhakam Dandy, said Israel is using prohibited weapons, including phosphorous, and is committing crimes against humanity and crimes of genocide, he recalled the devastation in Gaza.
He added some countries are attempting to legalize Israel’s actions, making executioners into victims in the name of “self defence”.
Israel must be held accountable, he said.
He called on the Council to adopt effective and immediate measures to end Israeli attacks and to halt impunity.
Ambassador expressed support for South Africa’s related case at the ICJ, where provisional measures are expected to be made public this Friday.
He said heinous violations also have been perpetrated against Syria.
He said in the occupied Golan, expanding settlements and the plunder of natural resources are hostile policies that also target residential areas in Damascus and other parts of Syria.
Ireland’s Ambassador Fergal Mythen condemned the 7 October attacks against Israe.
He reiterated a call for the release of hostages. At the same time, Israel must limit its action in Gaza, in line with international humanitarian laws requiring military operations to respect the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution, he said.
Ambassador Fergal Mythen stressed that ending the war hinges on a two-State solution, and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of this vision is not unacceptable.
He emphasized that the Security Council has reaffirmed its commitment to the two-State solution in its relevant resolutions, he said “today, the achievement of this vision is more pressing than ever.”
Council members called for the two-State solution to be realized and for an end to the war, with many calling for an immediate ceasefire to end the suffering of Palestinians and allow the aid they urgently need to be delivered unhindered
“Stop this massacre,” said the Deputy Prime Minister of Jordan
“We are running out of time. There are two choices: a spreading fire or a ceasefire,” said the Foreign Affairs Minister for the Observer State of Palestine
Israel’s Ambassador Gilad Erdan said if the Council continues to provide necessary aid to Gaza, without considering the Iranian threat across the region, the world faces “a very dark future”
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