{"id":308679,"date":"2025-06-30T14:41:18","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T18:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=308679"},"modified":"2025-08-21T15:58:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T19:58:56","slug":"human-toll-mounting-security-council-told-as-focus-shifts-back-to-gaza-after-israel-iran-ceasefire","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/human-toll-mounting-security-council-told-as-focus-shifts-back-to-gaza-after-israel-iran-ceasefire\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Human Toll Mounting\u2019, Security Council Told, as Focus Shifts Back to Gaza after Israel-Iran Ceasefire"},"content":{"rendered":"

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9950th Meeting (AM)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe devastating human toll is mounting\u201d in Gaza, a senior Â鶹APP official informed the Security Council today, while speakers for Israel and the State of Palestine traded barbs about issues ranging from Palestinian statehood to attacks on Palestinians seeking aid.<\/p>\n

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Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific at the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, described the worsening impact of ongoing hostilities, as Council members shifted their focus back to Gaza following a brokered ceasefire that paused the conflict between Israel and Iran.\u00a0 Citing figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health, he said that since 7\u00a0October\u00a02023, 56,500 Palestinians have been killed, with 1,068 fatalities since 17\u00a0June, an average of 82 per day.<\/p>\n

Highlighting several incidents, including the striking by Israeli forces of\u00a0three houses in Jabalia on 19\u00a0June, killing at least 14 people from the same family, he also drew attention to ongoing casualties resulting from attacks on Palestinians seeking aid from\u00a0militarized food distribution points and aid convoys.\u00a0 Since\u00a017\u00a0June, at least 580 Palestinians have been killed either trying to reach Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution points or waiting for other aid convoys, he said, citing the killing of 49 Palestinians on 24\u00a0June, when Israel Defense Forces troops reportedly opened fire near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites north of Al Bureij Camp and north-west Rafah.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Â鶹APP will not participate in any aid delivery modality that does not comply with the fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality,\u201d he said. \u00a0Turning to the fiscal crisis faced by the Palestinian Authority, he called for a resolution to Israel\u2019s increased withholding of clearance revenues, and for the international community to prepare the Palestinian Authority to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza.<\/p>\n

On the occupied West Bank, he drew attention to\u00a0casualties in the wake of continued operations by Israeli security forces in the north, and voiced alarm over \u201crelentless\u201d Israeli settlement expansion. \u00a0Moreover, he voiced concern over the Israeli Government\u2019s decision to resume formal land registration in Area C and the serious risk that this will facilitate further settlement expansion and entrenchment. \u00a0He went on to welcome the ceasefire reached between Iran and Israel and hoped it will be replicated elsewhere in the region, adding: \u00a0\u201cNowhere is this more needed than in Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s briefing was convened pursuant to Council resolution 2334 (2016), which requests the Secretary-General to report every three months on its implementation. \u00a0The resolution demands that Israel cease all settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.\u00a0However, discussions extended beyond settlements, covering the risk of famine in Gaza, aid delivery conducted by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation \u2014 a non-UN mechanism established with support from Israel and the United States, the release of hostages, regional spillover, and prospects for a two-State solution.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe demonization of Palestinians has reached its ultimate expression in Gaza, with the genocide continuing as we meet again, and again, and again,\u201d said the\u00a0Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine, adding: \u00a0\u201cNothing can justify a genocide.\u201d \u00a0The latest report on the \u201ccontinuous breach\u201d of\u00a0Council resolution 2334 (2016) details the price of failing to hold perpetrators accountable for their violations of international law, he said.<\/p>\n

Deploring that aid is used to \u201ctorment our people\u201d\u00a0and force them to leave their land, he said Palestinians are entitled to life, freedom, security and their own independent State.\u00a0\u00a0One State cannot veto the existence of another, he stressed, calling for an end to Israel\u2019s chokehold on the State of Palestine, politically, militarily, and financially. \u00a0He deplored the withholding of $2.3\u00a0billion of Palestinian revenue, and asserted his State\u2019s right to life, dignity, justice, and reparation. \u00a0\u201cWe are still pursuing peace, despite all that was done to us,\u201d he said, adding: \u00a0\u201cWe ask for nothing more than what international law has determined as our rights, and we will accept nothing less.\u201d<\/p>\n

46 Million Meals Delivered without Being Looted<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Israel\u2019s representative, meanwhile, stated that\u00a0Yonatan Samerano, taken hostage by an Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) \u201cterrorist\u201d, was recently buried, while the UN \u201cburied its head in the sand\u201d. \u00a0Although the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has delivered 46\u00a0million meals in a month with speed and efficiency, while bypassing the terrorists who divert such aid, the UN has responded with \u201cindifference, defamation and obstruction\u201d.<\/p>\n

Noting the torture and execution of the Foundation\u2019s employees by Hamas three weeks ago, he deplored the UN\u2019s silence \u201cin the face of murder\u201d, and its false allegations about violent incidents, as well as \u201cinsane conspiracies\u201d that allege that the aid contains drugs. \u00a0His country\u2019s Rising Lion operation struck nuclear operations in Iran, significantly neutralizing its ability to launch ballistic missiles without losing a single aircraft. \u00a0\u201cWe targeted the war machine and not its people,\u201d he said. \u00a0However, Iran murdered 28 Israeli citizens and is responsible for the flow of weapons through Judea and Samaria, he added.<\/p>\n

The United States\u2019 representative chimed in, citing his delegation\u2019s efforts to improve\u00a0the humanitarian situation in Gaza through its support of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which provides lifesaving aid \u201cwithout empowering terrorists\u201d. \u00a0On the West Bank, the United States supports the efforts of Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian Authority forces to counter extremists. \u00a0In response to remarks by some Council members, he reiterated\u00a0that aid distribution should happen in a way that doesn\u2019t allow Hamas to benefit. \u00a0In addition, he stated that accusations of genocide fuel antisemitism around the world.<\/p>\n

Non-UN Aid Distribution Sites \u2018Deathtrap\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Several Council members voiced alarm about the widespread famine gripping the Strip, as well as over violent attacks on the starving populace at food aid distribution centres.<\/p>\n

Among them was Pakistan\u2019s delegate, who observed that the so-called new aid system places starving civilians in danger and forces them to cross military lines. \u00a0\u201cIt is a grotesque cycle of horror, and it is a deathtrap,\u201d he said. \u00a0\u201cThere is no need to reinvent the wheel, UN already has a delivery system.\u201d\u00a0 The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza defies comprehension with \u201clevels of suffering and brutality that are shocking and unbearable,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsrael\u2019s aid delivery measures are inhumane,\u201d said the United Kingdom\u2019s delegate, pointing out that\u00a0the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation\u2019s operations, which are supposed to be saving lives, are leading to mass casualties. \u00a0His delegation is concerned by reports that Hamas has targeted the Foundation\u2019s staff and by reports of widespread looting by criminal gangs. \u00a0The UN can deliver aid at scale without endangering civilians. \u00a0Humanitarian workers need to operate in safety, he said, a view echoed by Somalia\u2019s delegate.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeeking food must never mean seeking death,\u201d said China\u2019s representative, deploring weaponization of humanitarian assistance and calling for a \u201cserious and full investigation\u201d of attacks on civilians in Gaza. \u00a0Israel must fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law as the occupying Power by immediately lifting its blockade of Gaza, fully restoring humanitarian access and cooperating with the UN.<\/p>\n

Panama\u2019s representative, pointing out that \u201chalf a million people are on the verge of starvation\u201d in Gaza, urged support for UN humanitarian agencies, which have the proven experience, trained personnel and protocols to deliver humanitarian aid effectively on a large scale. \u00a0Their capacities should be bolstered, not replaced.<\/p>\n

The representative of Guyana, Council President for June, spoke in her national capacity to voice concern over the daily killing and injury of Palestinian civilians seeking aid, stressing that the Israeli-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is \u201cnot guided by humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence\u201d.<\/p>\n

Condemnations of Israeli Settlements<\/strong><\/h3>\n

France\u2019s delegate stated that his country opposes any form of annexation which runs counter to resolution 2334 (2016) and compromises the possibility of establishing a viable Palestinian State. \u00a0In that context, he urged Israel to \u201cend without delay any new settlement\u201d, adding that his country has \u201cadopted 59 individual sanctions against extremist settlers who are guilty of violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank\u201d.<\/p>\n

The representative of Algeria remarked that today\u2019s briefing leaves no doubt that the main obstacle preventing peace in the Middle East is the Israeli occupation, which undermines Council resolutions, including resolution 2334 (2016), and converts resolutions to papers that are archived and out of memory. \u00a0\u201cEither we protect international law or announce the official death of international law,\u201d he said. \u00a0Similarly, the Russian Federation\u2019s representative noted the lack of progress on\u00a0implementing resolution 2334 (2016), pointing out that the main reason blocking the restart of the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis is still the Israeli authorities\u2019 systemic expansion of their illegal presence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. \u00a0\u201cIsrael’s settlement activity itself is developing in leaps and bounds,\u201d he said, noting the plans for the construction of nearly 10,000 new housing units from March to June alone.<\/p>\n

Calls for a Palestinian State<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sierra Leone\u2019s delegate underscored the need to implement a two-State solution, which represents the highest degree of international legitimacy and adherence to the provisions of resolution 2334 (2016) and all other relevant resolutions. \u00a0\u201cTherefore, all parties are urged to act in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law, to uphold the principles of humanity, justice and accountability,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Israeli settlements \u2014 a clear violation of international law \u2014 \u201cpush Palestinians into isolated enclaves, making it virtually impossible to form a connected and viable land for a future Palestinian State\u201d, stressed\u00a0Denmark\u2019s delegate,\u00a0calling for the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016) and the International Court of Justice\u2019s advisory opinion. \u00a0The representatives of the Republic of Korea and Greece voiced support to the Palestinian Authority in realizing the two-State formula, with the former underscoring the importance of the \u201cexpediated revitalization and reform\u201d of that body in the situation where Hamas has been greatly weakened.\u00a0 The latter welcomed the recent bold reforms undertaken by the Palestinian Authority, as well as the recent appointment of a Foreign Minister.<\/p>\n

For his part, Slovenia\u2019s delegate voiced regret over\u00a0the postponement of the conference on the two-State solution, expressing firm support for the co-chairs, namely France and Saudi Arabia.\u00a0 Additional steps\u00a0to weaken the Palestinian Authority, particularly through its precarious financial situation, are deeply disturbing. \u00a0His delegation condemns actions that sharply contradict the International Court of Justice\u2019s advisory opinion of July\u00a02024, which clearly outlined Israel\u2019s obligation to end the illegal occupation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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More documents related to this meeting:\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n