UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza. UN Security Council discusses the situation in Gaza Peace and Security
During a Security Council meeting devoted to the situation in the Middle East, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the international community to make every effort to find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In a statement read on behalf of the UN chief by the head of his administration, Guterres reminded Security Council members of the human cost of the war in Gaza. According to the enclave’s health authorities, more than 38 thousand Palestinians were killed, about 87 thousand – wounded and thousands more missing. According to Israeli sources, more than 1,500 people were killed in the Hamas attack on the country, more than 7,000 were injured, and 125 hostages are still being held in Gaza.
The risk of regional escalation as firefights across the Blue Line between Hezbollah and Israel continue, the Secretary-General warned.
Humanitarian Collapse
According to him, the humanitarian aid system in Gaza is on the verge of collapse. UN staff face serious obstacles and deadly risks. Despite ongoing dialogue with Israeli authorities and some improvements, much more needs to be done to ensure the well-being of civilians, the UN chief said in a statement.
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“We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” the Secretary-General reiterated.
West Bank
Guterres also recalled that violence continues in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. According to him, between October 7, 2023 and July 8, 2024, 553 Palestinians were killed there, including 131 children, the vast majority of them killed during Israeli operations.
During the same period, 22 Israelis, including nine military personnel, were killed by Palestinians in Israel and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The Secretary-General also emphasized that Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory are a flagrant violation of international law and one of the main obstacles to peace.
Peaceful Solution
“We must focus on finding a political solution that will end the occupation and resolve the conflict in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions,” the UN chief stressed. – Restoring governance in Gaza under a unified, legitimate Palestinian government is essential to these efforts.”
All those with influence must take the urgent steps necessary to so that the parties can once again take the path to ending the occupation and resolving the conflict, Guterres emphasized. According to him, this should happen in accordance with the two-state solution, which envisages both countries living side by side in peace and security.