{"id":296128,"date":"2024-05-20T13:47:42","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T17:47:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=296128"},"modified":"2024-06-12T16:12:05","modified_gmt":"2024-06-12T20:12:05","slug":"speakers-in-security-council-pr-20may24","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/speakers-in-security-council-pr-20may24\/","title":{"rendered":"Speakers in Security Council Urge Israel to Stop Military Incursions into Rafah – Security Council 9631st meeting Press release"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Fran\u00e7ais<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

20 May 2024<\/div>\n
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9631ST MEETING (PM)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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SC\/15701<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Meeting records<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

No Words Found for Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza, UN Aid Official Warns<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Saving lives and ensuring humanitarian access in Rafah and across the Gaza Strip are urgent priorities, senior Â鶹APP officials told the Security Council today, as delegates urged Israel to stop its military offensive in Rafah.<\/p>\n

\u201cI fear the worst,\u201d Tor Wennesland, Â鶹APP Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said, for Rafah\u2019s terrified civilians, for the hostages held in unimaginable conditions for more than 225\u00a0days and for the overstretched humanitarian operation in Gaza.<\/p>\n

Military manoeuvres by\u00a0Israel Defense Forces in and around Rafah have intensified and Israel has ordered 100,000\u00a0Palestinians in the southern city to immediately evacuate to a so-called \u201cexpanded humanitarian area\u201d in Al-Mawasi which lacks adequate shelter, food, water and sewage infrastructure, he said. \u00a0Nowhere is safe in Gaza, including for humanitarian workers, he observed, noting that the total number of UN staff killed in Gaza since the start of hostilities has reached 193.<\/p>\n

Underscoring the need for a long-term solution in Gaza, he called on the international community to enable the new Palestinian Government to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza and eventually govern the whole of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. \u00a0This is an opportunity to take a tangible step towards unifying Gaza and the West Bank politically, economically and administratively, he pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be frank, we are running out of words,\u201d said Edem Wosornu, Director, Operations and Advocacy Division, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, after describing what is happening in Gaza as a catastrophe, a nightmare and \u201chell on Earth\u201d. \u00a0Some 35,000\u00a0people have now been killed and more than 79,000\u00a0injured while Gaza\u2019s health-care system is under impossible strain, with an estimated 14,000\u00a0patients currently requiring medical evacuation.\u00a0 About 1.7\u00a0million people have been forcibly displaced within Gaza, many of them up to four or five times, including because of repeated evacuation instructions from the Israel Defense Forces, she added.<\/p>\n

Noting that the Rafah crossing remains inaccessible for humanitarian cargo, fuel and personnel movement, she said that around 82,000\u00a0metric tons of supplies are stranded on the Egypt side of the crossing with food spoiling and medicines expiring.\u00a0 The Kerem Shalom is extremely difficult for aid organizations to access from the Gaza side due to hostilities, while areas in the vicinity of the newly opened Erez West are under evacuation orders. \u00a0While welcoming the first aid shipment delivered via a newly constructed floating dock, she emphasized the importance of land routes. \u00a0\u201cWe need the facilitation of rapid, unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief into and within Gaza,\u201d she stressed.<\/p>\n

In the discussion that followed, many Council members called on Israel to reconsider its invasion of Rafah and expressed concern about the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe. \u00a0\u201cAs a friendly country,\u201d the Republic of Korea calls on Israel to immediately suspend its operation in Rafah, that country\u2019s representative said, cautioning that \u201cthis bloody offensive in Rafah\u201d will only fan the flames of additional extremism and jeopardize Israel\u2019s long-term security.\u00a0 The United Kingdom\u2019s delegate said his country will not support an expanded operation in Rafah unless there is a very clear plan to protect people and save lives.\u00a0\u201cWe have not seen that plan so, in these circumstances, we would not support an expanded operation in Rafah,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n

While stressing his country\u2019s \u201ciron-clad commitment\u201d to Israel\u2019s self-defence, the representative of the United States said it will not support an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza.\u00a0 His country has proposed alternatives to a major ground offensive in Rafah that \u201cwe believe will better advance Israel\u2019s goal of an enduring defeat of Hamas\u201d, he said, calling on the Council to be clear with Hamas on the need to reach a deal on the ceasefire and release of hostages. \u00a0He also highlighted his country\u2019s tireless work in enabling the arrival of the first shipments of humanitarian assistance in Gaza through the \u201cmultinational humanitarian pier\u201d.<\/p>\n

However, Council members stressed that the newly constructed pier is not a substitute for land crossings. \u00a0Egypt\u2019s delegate pointed out that it is possible to resume humanitarian action if Israel withdraws immediately from the Rafah border crossing and opened all six border crossings to Gaza from the Israeli side. \u00a0Rejecting the narrative that aid can only be delivered through the Rafah crossing, he said that humanitarian action in Rafah has become tantamount to a suicidal mission.\u00a0\u201cYou all are fully aware that Israel has been aiming, since the beginning of the war, to turn the Gaza Strip into an uninhabitable place,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Algeria\u2019s delegate also called for the reopening of all crossing points, noting that Rafah is the last remaining area in Gaza that has not been completely destroyed. \u00a0But Israel\u2019s operations in Rafah have already started, he said adding:\u00a0 \u201cThis is the darkest moment in the seven-months nightmare.\u201d \u00a0What is being witnessed in Gaza is not a war, but \u201cgenocide\u201d, he stressed, cautioning that abandoning the people of Gaza means \u201cabdicating our humanity\u201d.<\/p>\n

Also addressing the Council today was the Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine, who said Gaza will haunt the conscience of the world long after this genocide stops.\u00a0 Israel has determined its enemies, which include the Palestinian people, the Â鶹APP, the Council, the Assembly, the world courts and \u201cevery State on Earth that dares to denounce its crimes,\u201d he said. \u00a0The whole world opposed Israel\u2019s assault on Rafah and yet Israel is proceeding. \u00a0\u201cIt will not listen to reason or to your protests, to your calls or your demands,\u201d he said, urging the Council to use all its tools to stop the massacres.<\/p>\n

However, Israel\u2019s delegate said what started the war was \u201csheer evil perpetrated by Hamas\u201d, and the way to end it is by holding terrorists accountable.\u00a0 Calling on the Council to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, he stressed:\u00a0 \u201cShow them that the Council no longer follows their script.\u201d\u00a0 Israel is advancing its operations slowly and carefully, he said, adding that his country entered Gaza to bring the hostages home.\u00a0 \u201cWe did not want to be in Gaza.\u00a0 We do not want to be in Gaza.\u00a0 We have no intentions of staying in Gaza.\u00a0 It is only about saving lives,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

Briefings<\/u><\/h3>\n

TOR WENNESLAND,\u00a0Â鶹APP Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process<\/u>, noting that talks for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and a ceasefire ended on 9\u00a0May without agreement, said:\u00a0 \u201cI fear the worst for the beleaguered and terrified civilians in Rafah, for the hostages held in unimaginable conditions for more than 225\u00a0days, and for the overstretched humanitarian operation that remains on the brink in the Strip.\u201d\u00a0 Noting that\u00a0Israel Defence Forces\u2019 operations and military manoeuvres in and around Rafah have intensified, he said that on 5\u00a0May, Hamas launched mortars and rockets at soldiers massed on the Israeli side of Karem Abu Salem\/Kerem Shalom crossing, killing four and wounding 10\u00a0of them. \u00a0Israel Defense Forces\u2019 tank shelling and a series of air strikes in Rafah killed at least 19\u00a0Palestinians on the same day, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, he said.<\/p>\n

The following day, he added, the\u00a0Israel Defense Forces said it would operate with \u201cextreme force\u201d against Hamas in eastern Rafah and ordered 100,000\u00a0Palestinians to immediately evacuate to what it described as an \u201cexpanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi\u201d.\u00a0 Stressing that this so-called humanitarian area lacks adequate shelter, food, water and sewage infrastructure, he added that crossings for the entry of humanitarian goods have already been directly affected. \u00a0In the wake of the Hamas strike on 6\u00a0May, Israeli authorities closed Karem Abu Salem\/Kerem Shalom crossing for three days.\u00a0The Rafah crossing with Egypt remains closed.\u00a0 Active hostilities and\u00a0Israel Defense Forces operations continue to render \u201cnowhere safe in Gaza\u201d, including for humanitarian workers, he said, noting that 193\u00a0UN personnel have been killed in Gaza since the start of hostilities.<\/p>\n

The current trajectory, he said, will further undermine efforts to scale up the entry of humanitarian goods and their safe distribution to desperate civilians.\u00a0 Welcoming the opening of the Erez West crossing in Gaza\u2019s north, he noted the immense scale of needs in Gaza and stressed that there is no substitute for the full and increased operation of existing land crossings.\u00a0 The Secretary-General, as well as numerous international partners, including Egypt, have objected to a military operation in Rafah.\u00a0Saving lives and addressing the critical needs in Rafah and Gaza more broadly must be the immediate priority, he said, while pointing out that a large-scale military operation in Rafah exacerbates the risk of escalating regional tensions, particularly across the Blue Line with Lebanon.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere can be no long-term solution in Gaza that is not fundamentally political,\u201d he underscored.\u00a0 The new Palestinian Government, with eight ministers from Gaza, represents an important opportunity to support tangible steps towards unifying Gaza and the occupied West Bank politically, economically and administratively.\u00a0Calling on the international community to support the new Government, he called for assistance in addressing its fiscal challenges, strengthening its governance capacity and preparing it to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza and, ultimately, govern the whole of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.\u00a0 The Palestinian Authority must also be an integral part of planning for Gaza\u2019s recovery and reconstruction.\u00a0 \u201cNow is the time to lay the foundations for a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the broader region,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

EDEM WOSORNU,\u00a0Director, Operations and Advocacy Division, Â鶹APP Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs<\/u>, said that the situation in Gaza has been described as a catastrophe, a nightmare and hell on Earth.\u00a0\u201cTo be frank, we are running out of words to describe what is happening\u201d in the Strip.\u00a0 She noted that living conditions continue to deteriorate particularly in Jabalaya and eastern Rafah and the number of casualties continues to increase.\u00a0 According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 35,000\u00a0people have now been killed in the violence, and more than 79,000\u00a0injured, she said.\u00a0Gaza\u2019s health-care system is under impossible strain.\u00a0 In Rafah, 21\u00a0medical points, four primary health-care centres and four hospitals are now inaccessible.\u00a0 In the north, two hospitals, five primary health-care centres and 16\u00a0medical points are inaccessible, she said, adding that an estimated 14,000\u00a0critical patients currently require medical evacuation.<\/p>\n

Seventy-five per cent of the population\u00a0\u2014 1.7\u00a0million people\u00a0\u2014 has been forcibly displaced within Gaza, many of them up to four or five times, including because of repeated evacuation instructions from the Israel Defense Forces.\u00a0 In the past two weeks, more than 800,000\u00a0people have been displaced from Rafah into other areas of Gaza, she said, emphasizing unequivocally that those forcibly displaced must be guaranteed the right to voluntarily return, as international law demands.\u00a0 Once over-crowded camps and emergency shelters in Rafah have now largely emptied, with most of the displaced seeking refuge in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah.\u00a0But the situation at these sites is horrendous, with a dearth of adequate latrines, water points, drainage and shelter.\u00a0 \u201cCivilians\u2019 essential needs must be met,\u201d she said, adding that these appalling conditions leave serious doubt as to compliance with basic obligations.<\/p>\n

The Rafah incursion is making an already fragile aid operation even more difficult, she said.\u00a0 As of 17\u00a0May, the Rafah crossing remains inaccessible for humanitarian cargo, fuel and personnel movement.\u00a0 Around 82,000\u00a0metric tons of supplies are stranded on the Egypt side of the crossing with food spoiling and medicines expiring.\u00a0 Fuel shortages, meanwhile, impacts the functioning of bakeries, hospitals, water wells and other critical infrastructure.\u00a0 The crossing at Kerem Shalom is extremely difficult for aid organizations to access from the Gaza side due to hostilities, challenging logistical conditions and complex coordination procedures.\u00a0 Erez crossing opened and subsequently closed and the newly opened Erez West is now being used for limited quantities of aid but areas in the vicinity are also under evacuation orders.\u00a0 She welcomed the first aid shipment delivered on 17\u00a0May via the floating dock set up by the United States.\u00a0 But land routes remain the most effective way to deliver the scale of aid needed, she stressed.<\/p>\n

The Â鶹APP Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator is actively engaging with relevant parties to accelerate the provision of humanitarian aid, she said, demanding the protection of civilians, their homes and infrastructure.\u00a0 \u201cWe need the facilitation of rapid, unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief into and within Gaza,\u201d she said, adding that all available access points must be open and kept open for a sustained period to allow aid to enter at scale.\u00a0Humanitarian and UN staff must also be protected.\u00a0 Adequate funding, particularly for the Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), is also needed.\u00a0 As of 20\u00a0May, the 2024 flash appeal is only 25\u00a0per cent funded, she said.<\/p>\n

Statements<\/u><\/h3>\n

The representative of\u00a0Algeria<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>said Rafah is the last remaining area in Gaza that has not been completely destroyed and the only place capable of hosting those rendered homeless as all other places lie in ruins.\u00a0Observing that Israel\u2019s operations in Rafah have already started, he stressed: \u00a0\u201cThis is the darkest moment in the seven-months nightmare.\u201d\u00a0 UN humanitarian affairs officer Yasmina Guerda, who recently returned to Gaza for a second deployment, said: \u00a0\u201cWe would need to invent brand new words to adequately describe the situation that Palestinians in Gaza find themselves in today [\u2026] \u00a0There is lack of everything. \u00a0There is pain. \u00a0There is just incredible suffering.\u201d\u00a0 Calling for reopening of all crossing points, he said that what is being witnessed in Gaza is not a war, but \u201cgenocide\u201d.\u00a0 Inaction means abandoning the Gaza people, he said, adding: \u00a0\u201cAbandoning them means abdicating our humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Slovenia<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>condemned the loss of civilian lives. \u00a0\u201cSome of us have been calling for [a] ceasefire for months,\u201d he said, noting the adoption of resolution 2728 (2024) on 25\u00a0March to demand a ceasefire, a resolution that was not respected by Hamas nor by Israel. \u00a0\u201cFor the past few weeks, we have been united in rejecting the prospect of a military operation in Rafah. \u00a0Our calls are being ignored,\u201d he said. \u00a0\u201cBriefing after briefing, we are being told that there is no safe way to conduct a military operation in Rafah without killing civilians and causing huge human suffering.\u201d \u00a0It is disturbing that Israeli leaders are ignoring calls by all the Security Council members, global public opinion and the order from the International Court of Justice. \u00a0He condemned the operation in Rafah, calling for its immediate end and expressed concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation and the risk of full-blown famine.<\/p>\n

The representative of the\u00a0Republic of Korea<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0said 1.4\u00a0million people have been packed in a state of panic, devastation, hunger and instability in Rafah. \u00a0\u201cAs a friendly country\u201d, the Republic of Korea calls on Israel to immediately suspend its operation in Rafah, he said, noting the disturbing reports of mass graves at the ruins of Nasser and al-Shifa hospitals, as well as pending evacuation orders for the remaining functional hospitals in Rafah. \u00a0The current operations in Rafah by the\u00a0Israel Defense Forces are even more alarming as no substantial operational plans to protect civilians are in place. \u00a0\u201cThis bloody offensive in Rafah will only fan the flames of additional extremism,\u201d endanger the safe release of hostages and further jeopardize Israel\u2019s long-term security in the region, he said, demanding an immediate ceasefire throughout Gaza and the release of all remaining hostages, as well as the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Malta<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>said her delegation is gravely concerned at the expanding Israeli military offensive into Rafah and categorically rejected Israel\u2019s ongoing offensive. \u00a0The protection of civilians remains paramount and an expanded offensive into Rafah will only compound the catastrophic humanitarian situation as the Rafah crossing is a main entry point for aid into Gaza. \u00a0Its seizure and closure by Israel has severely compromised the provision and distribution of aid, and the maintenance of essential infrastructure and services, including hospitals, bakeries, water and sanitation facilities. \u00a0The Rafah crossing must be reopened immediately, and necessary measures taken to ensure scaled-up, unimpeded humanitarian access into and throughout Gaza. \u00a0While the completion of the floating dock off Gaza\u2019s shore is an encouraging development, land routes remain the most viable and effective delivery modes. \u00a0Malta remains deeply concerned that relevant Council resolutions are being completely disregarded by the conflict parties and she called for their full implementation.<\/p>\n

The representative of the\u00a0United Kingdom<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0said the situation in Gaza is desperate as the toll on civilians grows. \u00a0The United Kingdom is clear it would not support an expanded operation in Rafah unless there is a very clear plan to protect people and save lives. \u00a0\u201cWe have not seen that plan so, in these circumstances, we would not support an expanded operation in Rafah,\u201d he said. \u00a0He urged Israel to let humanitarian aid enter Gaza through all crossings, including reopening Rafah. \u00a0Israel must fulfil its commitments to increase aid and guarantee deconfliction for aid convoys and other humanitarian work. \u00a0The fastest way to end the conflict is to secure a deal which returns the hostages and pauses the fighting. \u00a0\u201cWe must then work to turn that pause into a sustainable, permanent ceasefire,\u201d he said, adding steadfast support must be provided to the new Palestinian Government as they implement much-needed reforms.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0France<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>said she was profoundly concerned by the situation in Rafah, which continues to deteriorate. \u00a0Expressing firm opposition to the Israeli offensive in Rafah that would have catastrophic consequences, she noted the forced transfer of civilian populations is a war crime. \u00a0The closure of the Rafah border point has devastating consequences for civilians at a time when humanitarian aid entering Gaza is patently insufficient, she said, adding that the humanitarian and health situation is unbearable. \u00a0Calling on Israel to reopen the Rafah crossing and all necessary crossing points and to allow the most vulnerable people to leave the Gaza Strip, she also urged Israel to spare no effort to ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel. \u00a0\u201cFrance remains engaged on the path to ending the crisis in a prompt way, based on a two-State solution,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Switzerland<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>called for an immediate ceasefire and a halt to the current military operation in Rafah, whose consequences for a civilian population that has been prey to bombardments, repeated displacements and famine for over seven months are unacceptable. \u00a0\u201cThis population now needs assistance, not further suffering,\u201d she asserted.\u00a0Further, she rejected deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects protected under international law, called for the release of the hostages and reiterated the duty to ensure the safety, protection and freedom of movement of humanitarian organization personnel.\u00a0 While welcoming the efforts that have led to the establishment of an option to deliver humanitarian aid by sea, she cautioned that humanitarian assistance entering Gaza remains largely insufficient and called on all parties to provide humanitarian access throughout the Strip.\u00a0 \u201cThis tragedy has gone on far too long,\u201d she stated, fully supporting the International Criminal Court, which is seeking arrest warrants against certain individuals.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0China<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>said that 220\u00a0days into the Gaza conflict Member States witnessed an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.\u00a0 Despite the calls for a ceasefire, Israel has chosen to turn a deaf ear and advance a large-scale offensive in Rafah. \u00a0\u201cNothing can justify the perpetuation of conflict,\u201d he stressed, adding that the collective punishment of civilians does not create conditions conducive to the rescue of hostages.\u00a0 Expressing support for the implementation of Security Council resolution 2729 (2024), he also voiced hope that the United States \u2014 as the country with major influence on Israel \u2014 can uphold impartiality and facilitate cessation of hostilities.\u00a0 He also called the attacks on UNRWA alarming.\u00a0 Further expressing support for the two-State solution, he underscored: \u00a0\u201cGaza is an inalienable part of Palestine.\u201d<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Sierra Leone<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>highlighted the long-lasting impact of the conflict on young people and children, noting that Gaza has been under constant bombardment for months, with its residents subjected to multiple displacements. \u00a0Humanitarian activities have become almost impossible as resources dwindle and access remains limited. \u00a0\u201cThis devastation could have been avoided and is still avoidable,\u201d he added. \u00a0Expressing regret that all efforts to bring about cessation of hostilities are proving to be futile, he called on the international community to persist.\u00a0 Calling for a permanent ceasefire, he added that \u201cwe cannot be paralysed witnesses\u201d to this calamity.\u00a0 Attacks on Â鶹APP premises and refugee camps are unacceptable, he said, calling for the immediate release of all hostages.<\/p>\n

The representative of the\u00a0Russian Federation<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>said the humanitarian situation in Gaza is unprecedented and continues to escalate. \u00a0\u201cWhen it comes to Gaza, there simply is no safe zones,\u201d he said, condemning attacks on UN representatives and humanitarian personnel and expressing support for the Secretary-General\u2019s call to conduct an independent international investigation into the deaths of those who were helping Palestinians. \u00a0The wounded and the ill are unable to receive the necessary care amid military hostilities, and civilian life is becoming even more unbearable, he said. \u00a0A ceasefire looks elusive. \u00a0\u201cThe current Israeli leadership is bent on pursuing military hostilities despite the increasingly obvious inability to achieve all of the stated objectives of their operation,\u201d he said, cautioning: \u00a0\u201cUnfortunately, such obstinacy threatens the lives of Israeli hostages, too. \u00a0With each passing day, the likelihood of relatives seeing their loved ones alive dims.\u201d<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Japan<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>said the situation in Rafah is rapidly worsening due to intensifying attacks and the destruction of buildings and infrastructure.\u00a0 Also, more than 800,000\u00a0Palestinians have been forcibly re-displaced since the start of the military operation in the city, with many having fled mainly to Deir al Balah or Khan Younis, overcrowded areas with dire humanitarian conditions.\u00a0Moreover, the Rafah border crossing closure has led to a standoff that has prevented desperately needed aid from reaching the population.\u00a0 A full-blown famine has already gripped the north and is now imminent in the south.\u00a0\u201cThe crossing must be reopened at once,\u201d she stressed, noting that\u00a0\u2014 while the maritime corridor through the pier built by the United States is now operational\u00a0\u2014 \u201cit can be no substitute for land-route humanitarian aid\u201d.\u00a0 For its part, Japan contributed to the recent opening of an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) field hospital in Rafah to help address overwhelming medical needs.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Ecuador<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>observed that \u201cagreements which seemed to be close, have not come to pass\u201d, noting that they would have allowed the cessation of hostilities and the release of hostages.\u00a0 Furthermore, military operations have expanded in the east of Rafah.\u00a0Spotlighting the activation of the mechanism mandated by Council resolution 2720 (2023) and the completion of the temporary pier for the entry of aid to Gaza by sea, he emphasized: \u00a0\u201cAll of these valuable efforts are unfortunately insufficient.\u201d \u00a0Stressing that a ceasefire is needed now, he also called for the immediate release of all hostages.\u00a0 He further reiterated that the only way to end this conflict is through a peaceful, negotiated, definitive and just solution for all parties with the existence of two States \u2014 Palestine and Israel \u2014 upon the basis of 1967 borders.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Guyana<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>said the humanitarian situation in Gaza is beyond catastrophic. \u00a0With the essential Rafah and Karen Abu Salem crossings blocked or ineffective because of the security situation, humanitarian operations are being crippled. \u00a0She called on Israel to adhere to its legal obligations as an occupying Power to ensure that the population\u2019s basic needs are met and essential supplies provided. \u00a0The International Court of Justice has clearly underlined Israel\u2019s obligations, yet that country turns \u201ca deaf ear and a blind eye to the rule of law\u201d. \u00a0Her delegation called on the Council to make impactful decisions and consider all its options to end the war. \u00a0\u201cLet us starve the war of its fuel,\u201d she said. \u00a0The impunity with which these acts against the Palestinian people are being committed must end. \u00a0The Council cannot let justice be outsourced but must act decisively to ensure that it is served.<\/p>\n

The representative of the\u00a0United<\/strong> States<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>expressed his country\u2019s \u201ciron-clad commitment\u201d to Israel\u2019s self-defence, stating, however, that it will not\u00a0support an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza.\u00a0 Reiterating objection to any large-scale military operation in Rafah that risks mass civilian harm, he noted the displacement of 800,000\u00a0civilians from the city in recent days, with displaced Palestinians facing life-threatening conditions, including \u201cthe threat of mass contagion from raw sewage\u201d. \u00a0Israel should take immediate and decisive actions to remedy the situation and ensure the protection of civilians. \u00a0The Rafah crossing must be reopened now, he said, adding that \u201clives depend on it\u201d.\u00a0Also expressing concern about the killing of a\u00a0Â鶹APP\u00a0staff member, he said: \u00a0\u201cWe need not wait for the results of an investigation to know what more Israel can and must do to fix the broken deconfliction process in Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n

Noting the first shipments of humanitarian assistance that arrived on the shores of Gaza through the \u201cmultinational humanitarian pier\u201d, he highlighted the \u201cthe tireless work\u201d of his country and partners in enabling this.\u00a0 The United States will continue to work to further increase the amount of aid getting into Gaza by land crossings, he said, adding that it has also proposed alternatives to a major ground offensive in Rafah that \u201cwe believe will better advance Israel\u2019s goal of an enduring defeat of Hamas\u201d. \u00a0Just as his country has been clear with Israel regarding the best course of action, the Council must be clear with Hamas on the need to reach a deal on the ceasefire and release of hostages, he said.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Mozambique<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>said that for the last seven months, the Gaza Strip has tragically become one of the most dangerous places on Earth. \u00a0Even humanitarian workers are not spared, he said, emphasizing that it is crucial to take the necessary action to alleviate this immense and unacceptable suffering. \u00a0Reports of forced displacement of civilians in Rafah and the denial of vital humanitarian aid are alarming violations of international law that cannot be tolerated, he said, calling for urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis. \u00a0A large-scale military operation in Rafah would have catastrophic consequences for civilians, he said, calling on Israel to fully comply with international law and to allow increased humanitarian access and prioritizing civilian protection. \u00a0\u201cAll efforts must be made to ensure aid reaches those in desperate need, swiftly and unimpeded,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0said Gaza will haunt the conscience of the world long after this genocide stops. \u00a0\u201cAnd stop it must,\u201d he said, \u201cNow.\u201d \u00a0Israel is deliberately destroying life in Gaza and is not deterred by the rules of international law or positions adopted by States or international bodies. \u00a0It will only be deterred by resolute action holding it accountable for its decisions and forcing it to change course. \u00a0The whole world opposed Israel\u2019s assault on Rafah, and yet, Israel is proceeding. \u00a0Israel has pushed an entire population to the southern border of Gaza, to Rafah, through mass killing and destruction. \u00a0Israel must pull out from the Rafah crossing, open all crossings and allow the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid and withdraw its occupation forces from the Gaza Strip. \u00a0He said Israel has determined its enemies, which include the Palestinian people, the Â鶹APP, the Council, the Assembly, the world courts and \u201cevery State on Earth that dares to denounce its crimes\u201d.<\/p>\n

While the Council speaks often of the international law-based order, Israel is asking the Council to destroy this order so it can continue killing the Palestinian people and annex their land in full impunity. \u00a0\u201cIt will not listen to reason or to your protests, to your calls or your demands,\u201d he said, adding that Israel has gone further and further in its breach of the Charter and the law.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0He believes that very soon a tipping point will be reached at which countries will stand up to defend freedom, justice and peace. \u00a0He urged the Council to use all its tools to stop the massacres.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Israel<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>said that \u201cin an act of outrageous absurdity and moral bankruptcy\u201d the International Criminal Court\u2019s Chief Prosecutor announced that he will seek arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders. \u00a0\u201cThis is a despicable and unforgettable day, in which an immoral equivalence is being made between a terror organization and the leaders of a vibrant democracy,\u201d he stressed, adding that international organizations \u201chave lost their way\u201d.\u00a0While the \u201cforces of evil\u201d have physical weapons, they also have diplomatic and legal weapons\u00a0\u2014 \u201can arsenal of evil that includes weaponization of this institution and its bodies,\u201d he observed, adding that \u201call have become tools in the hands of monsters\u201d. \u00a0Noting that the Council held a moment of silence to commemorate the \u201cmass-murdering\u201d President of Iran, he asked: \u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019s next? \u00a0Will the Council hold a moment of silence for Bin Laden? \u00a0Will there be a vigil for Hitler?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Council does not function through logic or morality\u201d, he continued, calling it a \u201cpolitical tool exploited by some Members\u201d.\u00a0 What started the war was \u201csheer evil perpetrated by Hamas\u201d, he recalled, reiterating that the way to end it is by holding terrorists accountable.\u00a0 Noting that Israel entered Gaza to bring the hostages home, he emphasized: \u00a0\u201cWe did not want to be in Gaza. \u00a0We do not want to be in Gaza.\u00a0 We have no intentions of staying in Gaza. \u00a0It is only about saving lives.\u201d\u00a0 Calling on the Council to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, he stressed: \u00a0\u201cShow them that the Council no longer follows their script.\u201d\u00a0 Israel is advancing its operations in Gaza slowly and carefully, he said, urging the Council to utilize its power and pressure the terrorists. \u00a0\u201cHelp bring this war to an end, with Hamas eliminated and our hostages returned,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Egypt<\/u><\/strong>, highlighting Israel\u2019s approach to deliberately turn the Gaza Strip into an uninhabitable place, said that despite continued mediation efforts by his country, Qatar and the United States, as well as multiple Council resolutions, \u201cthe response was another military operation in Rafah\u201d.\u00a0 Citing UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, he underscored that Israel\u2019s claim that it is possible to transfer civilians to safe places is not credible. \u00a0The areas to which people are directed to go do not fulfil the minimum conditions for the provision of humanitarian aid. \u00a0Adherence to international law, international humanitarian law and the rules of war is not optional, he said, adding that the international community should not accept flimsy justifications for the military operation in Rafah.<\/p>\n

The flow of humanitarian aid through the Rafah border crossing has stopped as a direct result of the continued Israeli military operation, he said, adding that this is also a direct threat to the lives of humanitarian workers. \u00a0Humanitarian action in Rafah \u201chas become tantamount to a suicide mission\u201d, he said, adding: \u00a0\u201cYou all are fully aware that Israel has been aiming, since the beginning of the war, to turn the Gaza Strip into an uninhabitable place.\u201d \u00a0It is possible to resume humanitarian action if Israel withdrew immediately from the Rafah border crossing and opened all six border crossings to Gaza from the Israeli side.\u00a0 Rejecting the narrative that aid can only be delivered through the Rafah crossing, he said this narrative holds his country and the Â鶹APP responsible for the aid not being delivered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Fran\u00e7ais 20 May 2024 9631ST MEETING (PM) SC\/15701 Meeting records No Words Found for Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza, UN Aid Official Warns Saving lives and ensuring humanitarian access in Rafah and across the Gaza Strip are urgent priorities, senior Â鶹APP officials told the Security Council today, as delegates urged Israel to stop its military […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":299,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[660,759,807,810,834,867,897,906,969,5248,1593,1065,1074,5836,1119,1152,2321,2553],"document-category":[1329],"document-source":[2169,1362,1877],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[2517,1769,2265,2005,1741,1745],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6542,6541],"class_list":["post-296128","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","country-algeria","country-china","country-ecuador","country-egypt","country-france","country-guyana","country-israel","country-japan","country-malta","country-mozambique","country-palestine-state-of","country-republic-of-korea","country-russian-federation","country-sierra-leone","country-slovenia","country-switzerland","country-united-kingdom","country-united-states-of-america","document-category-press-release","document-source-office-for-the-coordination-of-humanitarian-affairs-ocha","document-source-security-council","document-source-united-nations-special-coordinator-for-the-middle-east-peace-process-unsco","document-subject-access-and-movement","document-subject-armed-conflict","document-subject-ceasefire","document-subject-gaza-strip","document-subject-human-rights-and-international-humanitarian-law","document-subject-refugees-and-displaced-persons","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-english","document-language-french"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/296128","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\/299"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/296128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":296937,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/296128\/revisions\/296937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=296128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=296128"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=296128"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=296128"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=296128"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=296128"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=296128"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=296128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}