By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN Security Council on Monday held its quarterly open meeting on the Middle East a day after the ceasefire in Gaza ended the 15-month-long war.
UN HEAD Antonio Guterres briefed the members of the Council and the ministers attended the meeting in New York.
Algeria is chairing the presidency of the UNSC for the month of January opened meeting on the Middle East.
Algerian foreign minister took a gavel and began the meeting at the Council Chamber.
Mr. Guterres briefed the Council followed by statements delivered by the foreign affairs minister of Palestine and a representative of Israel.
Ministers from Slovenia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Panama and the United Kingdom also spoke at theopen meeting.
António Guterres described the Middle East as undergoing “a period of profound transformation” filled with uncertainty and opportunity.
“We have a responsibility to help make sure the people of the Middle East come out of this turbulent period with peace, dignity and a horizon of hope grounded in action,” he stated.
He reflected on his recent visit to Lebanon, Mr. Guterres expressed optimism about the nation’s progress.
Guterres noted efforts toward forming a government that represents all Lebanese people and ensures their security.
He commended the tireless work of the UN Interim Force In Lebanon.
UNIFIL has carried out over 730 missions in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces, facilitated their redeployment to more than 50 positions alongside 39 humanitarian missions, Guterres noted.
He highlighting the “fragile” but “holding” cessation of hostilities, he urged all parties to implement Security Council resolution 1701 and reiterated UN support towards “true peace”. It is vital that Israeli presence in southern Lebanon end as defined in the agreement.
Mr. Guterres pointed out the brokered ceasefire in Gaza and the accompanying hostage release as “a ray of hope” for the region.
“Yesterday, the first three female hostages were released as part of the first phase. Ninety Palestinian prisoners were also released by Israel,” he said.
He noted the relief this brings to families on both sides.
Mr. Guterres underscored the UN’s ongoing commitment to scaling up humanitarian aid, with over 630 aid trucks entering Gaza yesterday alone, including at least 300 destined for the north.
He called for urgent action, and emphasized the need for “rapid, safe and unimpeded access” for humanitarian entities, including the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees and better protection for civilians.
SG addressed the broader implications and stressed the importance of a two-State solution.
“Greater stability in the Middle East requires irreversible action toward a two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side,” with Jerusalem as the capital of both States
Mr. Guterres noted the steps taken by Member States showing solidarity with Syrians in his closing remarks.
He emphasized the need for an “inclusive political transition” as “the most effective means to ensure that Syria receives more support”.
Guterres has welcomed the start of the implementation of the ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza.
“We stand ready to support this implementation and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer,” he said in an online message on Sunday evening.
“It is imperative that this ceasefire removes the significant security & political obstacles to delivering aid,” he insisted.
Foreign Minister of Palestine Varsen Aghabekian welcomed the end of hostilities and commended the positions of Egypt, Jordan and others who supported the prevention of displacement of Palestinians outside the occupied area throughout the war.
She thanked the parties and the UN for helping in that regard, she also commended efforts to “end the genocide against our people”, pointed to South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice against Israel in that regard.
Varsen Aghabekian reiterated the total rejection of displacing Palestinians, which violates the principles of international law.
“This requires the unity of our land and people,” she said.
She added that it additionally means support for the Palestinian Liberation Organization, which is ready to provide basic services and the prepare for the reconstruction phase.
Varsen Aghabekian welcomed any assistance for training and equipping Palestinian security forces and to lift the people of Gaza from the current humanitarian devastation. In this regard, she said the occupying power does not have the right the limit the operations of the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA.
She called on the international community for support, emphasized the need to reach a comprehensive, lasting solution for peace in the Middle East.
Israel’s envoy to the UN said even as the first hostages returned home on Sunday, she said families of current captives are suffering in wait for their loved ones.
She stressed that Hamas started the war by attacking Israel in October 2023. Since then, Houthis terrorists have attacked Israel, which has defended itself against them and others.
Israel remains committed to the current ceasefire with Lebanon. However, Israel will protect itself, she said.
“Israel maintains its right to act against any threat to its security,” she stated. In this vein, she said Israel has no intention to fight Syria, but will protect Israeli interests.
She said that the Iran-backed network has been weakened, with leaders eliminated, added that “the days when terrorist groups could operate with impunity are over.”
Israel representative praised the steadfast support from allies, including the United States, she said this partnership is key in combating terrorism and is built on mutual respect.
“This moment is only the beginning,” she said.
She stressed that the war will not end until all the hostages are returned home.
Minister of Foreign Affairs for Algeria Ahmed Attaf said his delegation felt “cautious, apprehensive and also optimistic” as the long-awaited ceasefire deal has been achieved against the backdrop of “implementing an Israeli project in Gaza”.
He thanked “the international mediators who have worked tirelessly to achieve this deal after 15 months of a war that has led to a catastrophic toll”, he urged continued support for UNRWA, that “has suffered an injustice”.
Ahmed Attaf called on the Security Council to support the achievement of the national Palestinian project.
“If this Council has been unable in the past to provide justice for the Palestinian people, it is fitting today for the Council not to miss this historical moment,” he said.
“We must realize and be fully aware that the ceasefire deal is not an end but a beginning,” he emphasized underscoring the need to “revitalize a political process in order to resolve the conflict”.
“We must protect the two-State solution through preserving the means for an independent Palestinian State and allowing it to become a full-fledged member of the United Nations,” he concluded.
Hamish Falconer, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the Great Britain described the ceasefire agreement as “a crucial first step” toward a two-State solution, offering hope not just for the people of Gaza and Israel, but for the world.
“The hostages have endured unimaginable suffering,” he said.
He welcomed the release of three hostages while urging the swift release of the rest.
Hamish Falconer highlighted the dire conditions in Gaza, Mr. Falconer said the suffering there “almost defies belief” and noted that the onset of winter has worsened the humanitarian crisis.
He emphasized the significance of the deal, he remarked that this agreement opens a way for people to begin rebuilding their lives.
Hamish Falconer called on the international community to build confidence and sustain momentum to transform the ceasefire into a “lasting peace”.
He also warned that “UNRWA faces a cliff edge,” urging Israel not to create additional complications for the agency’s work.
“Millions of people are relying on us,” he said, stressing the responsibility of the Council to ensure vital aid reaches those in need. “We must not let them down.”
US Ambassadorto the UN Dorothy Shea told the Council that a ceasefire and hostage release deal “was long overdue”,.
She said the agreement will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians and, most importantly, reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.
“It is the result not only of the extreme pressure that Hamas has been under and the changed regional equation after a ceasefire in Lebanon and weakening of Iran, but also of dogged and painstaking diplomacy,” she added.
Ms. Shea stressed that now is the time for all parties to ensure critical aid reaches those in need throughout Gaza.
She urged countries to support this effort through funding and resources, and to help scale-up humanitarian aid.
Russian ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said Gaza lays in ruins, with UN experts stated it would take years to rebuild, which warrants the Council’s close attention.
He trusted that the ceasefire would pave the way for rebuilding Gaza and returning the hostages.
Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia stressed that the ceasefire in Gaza is a precursor for the region’s stabilization, including the situation in Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.
He stressed that the ultimate aim should be establishing a Palestinian State, which would help to curb cycles of violence.
“It is the duty of the entire international community to protect this ceasefire,” he said. For its part, Russia would continue to play its role in supporting efforts to re launch negotiations and to ensure ample humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.
French envoy to the UN Nicolas de Rivière welcomed the Gaza ceasefire agreement and urged all parties to implement it “in its entirety”.
He stressed the importance of releasing all remaining hostages, including French citizens Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi.
“Given the all-out humanitarian emergency, access is very important,” he said.
He urged for the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid in accordance with international law, and reiterating France’s full support for the irreplaceable work of UNRWA.
“The future of the Gaza Strip must be part of the future of the Palestinian State,” he declared.
He emphasized the importance of preventing Hamas from regaining control and preparing for the return of the Palestinian Authority.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen met with Syrian leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa in Damascus.
He affirmed the importance of all States, including Israel, respecting the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Syria as well as the need for an inclusive and credible political transition process led and owned by the Syrians.
Pedersen discussed the readiness and plans of the United Nations to support the transitional process and the Syrian people on a range of common priorities, in line with the principles in Security Council resolution 2254.
UN top negotiator on Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert has arrived in Israel to discuss progress on the cessation of hostilities agreement between the two countries, which came into force on 27 November 2024, her office said on Monday.
Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert was due to meet “senior Israeli officials” to discuss “remaining challenges” surrounding the implementation of a set of “understandings” that ended 13 months of heavy clashes between the Israeli military and armed Hezbollah militants.
Her office said in a statement that these understandings include the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 from 2006 that will be “a central theme” of Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert’s engagement”.
She welcomed the “withdrawal” of Israel Defense Forces from and “redeployment” of Lebanese Armed Forces to positions in southern Lebanon, while calling for continued commitment from all parties.
UN aid coordinators have visited Rafah border crossing in Gaza closed since last May and nearby Al-Arish city in Egypt to explore “critical preparations” for the delivery of humanitarian aid into the war-shattered enclave in line with the ceasefire agreement, according to UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq in New York.
The delegation said in a joint statement issued by the UN Office in Egypt on Monday “The UN remains unwavering in its commitment to supporting the people in Gaza who are in dire need of assistance”.
“This visit is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that the aid pipeline through Egypt works in its utmost capacity.”
Top aid official in Egypt, Elena Panova, the head of the UN aid coordination agency’s regional office, the chief of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees’ office in Cairo and representatives from the WFP, included in the delegation team.
Ms. Panova said “As the humanitarian situation is at catastrophic levels inside Gaza, ceasefire is a golden opportunity to ease the tremendous suffering of this conflict through bolstering aid delivery into Gaza from all possible routes to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches the people who need it most”.
The ceasefire in Gaza took effect on 19 January after more than 470 days of war that began on 7 October 2023.
The residents gradually started returning to inspect their homes as the truce begins. They are also devastated at the scenes of destruction at home while enjoying the break in the war
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