{"id":290765,"date":"2023-11-15T15:43:23","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T20:43:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=290765"},"modified":"2023-11-16T15:43:44","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T20:43:44","slug":"un-security-council-calls-for-urgent-and-extended-humanitarian-pauses-in-gaza-and-immediate-release-of-hostages","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/un-security-council-calls-for-urgent-and-extended-humanitarian-pauses-in-gaza-and-immediate-release-of-hostages\/","title":{"rendered":"Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Security Council Calls for \u2018Urgent and Extended\u2019 Humanitarian Pauses in Gaza and Immediate Release of Hostages"},"content":{"rendered":"
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9479TH MEETING (PM)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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SC\/15496<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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15 NOVEMBER 2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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In a late-breaking meeting today, the Security Council adopted resolution 2712 (2023) by a vote of 12\u00a0in favour to none against, with 3\u00a0abstentions (Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States), by which it called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors through the Gaza Strip to facilitate the provision of essential goods and services.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Further to the text, the Council called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, especially children, and urged the parties to refrain from depriving the civilians in Gaza of life-saving services and humanitarian assistance.<\/p>\n

Prior to the adoption, the Russian Federation\u2019s delegate introduced an amendment, which he described as the\u00a0\u201clowest common denominator, lower than which the Council cannot allow itself to fall\u201d. \u00a0The language, he said, repeats the General Assembly\u2019s resolution, adopted by a majority on 26\u00a0October.<\/p>\n

The amendment\u00a0was defeated by a vote of 5\u00a0in favour (Brazil, China, Mozambique, Russian Federation, United Arab Emirates) to 1\u00a0against (United States), with 9\u00a0abstentions (Albania, Gabon, Ghana, Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, United Kingdom).<\/p>\n

Malta\u2019s representative, introducing the resolution, said it focuses\u00a0on the plight of children trapped and of those being held hostage.\u00a0 Its passage would enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts and the medical evacuation of sick or injured children and their caregivers, she said.<\/p>\n

Following the vote, Council members weighed in on their positions, with Brazil\u2019s representative noting that the Council\u2019s response, commensurate with the gravity of the situation, was urgent since day one.\u00a0 He hoped that, if truly and urgently implemented, the text will at least mitigate the dreadful situation.<\/p>\n

The representative of the United Arab Emirates, recognizing that the resolution was adopted through difficult negotiations and compromises on all sides, commended Malta\u2019s leadership.\u00a0 Emphasizing that what emerges from the ruins of Gaza may be the last chance of the Council members to save it, she said that it will need everyone to work together.<\/p>\n

China\u2019s representative, noting his support for the text, welcomed\u00a0any initiative to protect civilians and ease the humanitarian crisis.\u00a0 He, however, was concerned about the\u00a0siege of the Al-Shifa Hospital and urged Israel to cease its military operations against civilian facilities. \u00a0The Council should stand on the side of justice, he concluded.<\/p>\n

Among the three abstentions to the resolution was the United States, whose representative said she could not vote yes on a text that did not condemn Hamas, which set the conflict in motion.\u00a0 Stressing that the adoption of the resolution will not save lives, she added that to do that, \u201cwe all need to support the heroic efforts of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and other humanitarian workers in Gaza\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine emphasized that the Council should have called for a ceasefire a long time ago, stressing that\u00a0millions of lives hang in the balance. \u00a0Urging those present to stop the killing and forced displacements and allow humanitarian aid, he said, “These should not be words in a resolution, but a reality on the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s representative said that the text focuses solely on the humanitarian situation and makes no mention of what led up to this moment.\u00a0Underscoring that his country will continue to do whatever it takes to bring the hostages home, he said \u201cshould Hamas choose to lay down their arms, turn themselves in, and hand over the hostages unscathed, this war would end immediately\u201d.<\/p>\n

Statements<\/u><\/p>\n

VASSILY A. NEBENZIA (Russian Federation<\/u>), speaking before the vote, proposed an oral amendment to the operative paragraph\u00a03bis.\u00a0 He said that the text repeats operative paragraph\u00a01 of the General Assembly resolution \u201cIllegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory\u201d (document\u00a0A\/ES-10\/L.25<\/a>), adopted on 26\u00a0October by an overwhelming majority of votes.\u00a0 \u201cOur proposal does not contain anything unexpected for you,\u201d he stressed, recalling that from the beginning of the crisis, Moscow has been emphasizing the main aim is to achieve ceasefire and end violence.\u00a0 If this provision is not included in the text, it can make an impression that the Council is \u201chappy to make do exclusively with Israel\u2019s provision of humanitarian pauses at its discretion\u201d.<\/p>\n

Expressing regret that the United States has consistently blocked any \u2014 even the weakest \u2014 reference to this aim, he addressed its representative, saying, \u201cDuring work on Malta\u2019s draft, you struck out anything that could in any way indicate the need for a cessation of hostilities. \u00a0Does this mean that you are in favour of the war in the Middle East continuing indefinitely?\u201d\u00a0 He said the amendment presented is the \u201clowest common denominator, lower than which the Council cannot allow itself to fall\u201d. \u00a0He added, \u201cOur duty is to save the lives of civilians who have a lethal threat hanging above them.\u201d\u00a0 He recalled that most of the Council\u2019s delegations supported the proposed text in the General Assembly.<\/p>\n

The oral amendment was defeated by a vote of 5\u00a0in favour (Brazil, China, Mozambique, Russian Federation, United Arab Emirates) to 1\u00a0against (United States), with 9\u00a0abstentions (Albania, Gabon, Ghana, Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, United Kingdom).<\/p>\n

VANESSA FRAZIER (Malta<\/u>), presenting the draft resolution, said that the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, ever since the horrific terror attacks of 7\u00a0October, is deeply troubling. \u00a0On that day, children were killed and taken hostage. \u00a0Since then, more than 4,600 are reported to have been killed in Gaza, and some 1,500 are deemed missing. \u00a0Many are likely trapped beneath the rubble. \u00a0The lives of newborn and premature babies at Al-Shifa Hospital are in grave and imminent danger. \u00a0More than 1\u00a0million people are displaced, and more than half are children.<\/p>\n

The draft resolution aims to ensure respite from the current nightmare in Gaza and give hope to the families of all victims, she said.\u00a0 It focuses on the plight of children trapped and of those being held hostage. \u00a0Over the past week, in an effort to achieve a \u201cbalanced and operational\u201d text, Malta held extensive consultations with Council members, interested parties, countries in the region and humanitarian organizations. \u00a0The text is focused and humanitarian in scope. \u00a0It provides for the establishment of urgent humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for \u201ca sufficient number\u201d of days.\u00a0Such measures would facilitate the continuous and unhindered provision of essential goods and services, which are important to the well-being of civilians, especially children.<\/p>\n

Its passage also would enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts, including for missing children in damaged and destroyed buildings, and the medical evacuation of sick or injured children and their caregivers, she said.\u00a0 The text underlines and reiterates children\u2019s special vulnerable status.\u00a0 It calls for the safe and unconditional release of hostages, especially children, that are being held by Hamas and other groups.\u00a0 This too, is a clear humanitarian imperative which cannot be ignored. \u00a0International humanitarian law provides general protection for children as persons taking no part in hostilities. \u00a0They enjoy special protection as persons who are particularly vulnerable.\u00a0 \u201cOur votes today translate into real human lives, the lives of thousands of children, civilians and heroic humanitarian workers,\u201d she stressed.<\/p>\n

LANA ZAKI\u00a0NUSSEIBEH (United Arab Emirates<\/u>), speaking in explanation of position before the vote, said since the start of the conflict the Council has been unable to produce anything that would alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza and that outside the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ building it looks indifferent to this suffering.\u00a0 Today, the Council has an opportunity to begin changing that perception; it can come together under one aim \u2014 the plight of children, which has been the North Star of the Council during this conflict.\u00a0 It can come together for the Palestinian children and other Palestinians sheltering, the Israeli children and other Israelis still hostage, and Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and humanitarian workers trying to alleviate suffering on the ground.<\/p>\n

She added that the text is what humanitarian workers have been calling for as the bare minimum to do their work.\u00a0 She highlighted that the resolution will also allow rescue missions for those trapped under rubble and will mean sick and injured children can be evacuated.\u00a0 She noted that the text is unequivocal that all parties comply with their obligations under international law. \u00a0It also rejects the forced displacement of Palestinians.\u00a0 Many are already refugees, and recently 80\u00a0per\u00a0cent of Gazans have been uprooted again, she added.\u00a0The monitoring mechanisms provided for in the text can create space for humanitarian actors to do their work.\u00a0She said that this is an \u201cimportant and overdue step\u201d by the Council.\u00a0 The United Arab Emirates will vote for the resolution.\u00a0 But a lasting humanitarian ceasefire is still needed, she said.<\/p>\n

The Council then adopted resolution 2712 (2023) by a vote of 12\u00a0in favour to none against, with 3\u00a0abstentions (Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States).<\/p>\n

LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD (United States<\/u>), speaking after the vote, said the world has watched with understandable frustration and increasing concern as the Security Council has been unable to speak out on this pressing matter of international peace and security. \u00a0\u201cHonestly, I think many have given up hope that we would ever speak on this conflict. \u00a0But that\u2019s exactly what we just did. \u00a0We got this done because most of us worked constructively, in good faith, to adopt a resolution.\u201d \u00a0However, she is horrified that a few Council members still cannot bring themselves to condemn the barbaric terrorist attack that Hamas carried out against Israel on 7\u00a0October. \u00a0\u201cWhat are they afraid of?\u201d she asked. \u00a0\u201cLet\u2019s be crystal clear: \u00a0Hamas set this conflict in motion.\u201d<\/p>\n

The United States could not vote yes on a text that did not condemn Hamas or reaffirm the rights of all Member States to protect their citizens from terrorist attacks and will continue to urge the Council to condemn Hamas\u2019 actions. \u00a0However, the United States did support many of the important provisions, she said, pointing out it is the first adopted text that mentions Hamas. \u00a0She fully supports the resolution\u2019s call for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas and other groups. \u00a0The United States has also advocated for humanitarian pauses to allow for full, rapid, safe and unhindered access to civilians in Gaza.<\/p>\n

She said her country has clearly stated its expectation that parties to the conflict will abide by their international law obligations. \u00a0\u201cWe\u2019ve been clear at the highest levels: \u00a0Hamas\u2019 actions do not lessen Israel\u2019s responsibility to protect innocent people in Gaza,\u201d she said. \u00a0\u201cAs Israel exercises its right and indeed its responsibility to protect its people from acts of terror, it must do so in a way that is consistent with the laws of war. \u00a0I want to be clear: \u00a0The United States does not want to see firefights in any hospitals.\u201d \u00a0Ultimately, this resolution is a step forward, but its adoption alone will not save lives, she said. \u00a0\u201cTo save lives, we all need to support the heroic efforts of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and other humanitarian workers in Gaza,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

EDWIGE KOUMBY MISSAMBO (Gabon<\/u>) said that she voted in favour of the draft resolution, adding:\u00a0 \u201cI am delighted that our Council has been able to reach consensus, thus, foregrounding the best interest of these two peoples.\u201d\u00a0 Noting that the text ensures general protection of children \u2014 as persons not participating in hostilities \u2014 and their special protection as particularly vulnerable persons, she underscored that her country wants to contribute to improving the plight of children.\u00a0 Recognizing that the text does not take into account all the legitimate concerns, she said it nevertheless represents major progress that could make a difference on the ground.\u00a0 In this regard, she encouraged Member States to show greater engagement to silence the guns and establish responsibility.<\/p>\n

BARBARA WOODWARD (United Kingdom<\/u>) said that it is \u201cright\u201d that the Council is calling for a humanitarian pause for a period of days long enough to get life-saving aid to those who need it. \u00a0\u201cThis will save lives,\u201d she stressed.\u00a0 For its part, the United Kingdom has doubled its aid to help civilians in Gaza. \u00a0All parties must give civilians the protection that is their right under international law.\u00a0This includes respecting the sanctity of hospitals. \u00a0She welcomed the resolution\u2019s call for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages. \u00a0\u201cIt is unconscionable that Hamas continues to hold men, women and children, causing terrible fear and suffering for their families,\u201d she said. \u00a0This resolution is necessary, though the United Kingdom regrets that it could not clearly condemn Hamas\u2019 terrorist attacks of 7\u00a0October. \u00a0\u201cThe barbarity of those attacks should be clear to us all,\u201d she said. \u00a0That is why the United Kingdom abstained today.<\/p>\n

NICOLAS DE RIVI\u00c8RE (France<\/u>) said his country supported the resolution because the humanitarian situation in Gaza is \u201calready catastrophic\u201d.\u00a0 France is fully mobilized to respond to the urgency of the situation.\u00a0 The resolution mentions several essential needs:\u00a0 food, water, fuel, and medicines, which must be delivered to the Gazan civilians.\u00a0 He called for lasting, unhindered humanitarian access for their delivery in sufficient quantities and for the mobilization of adequate resources.<\/p>\n

However, he regretted that several essential messages are not included in the resolution. \u00a0The Council must continue to work to achieve a broader expression, including condemnation of the Hamas attack, the recall of Israel\u2019s right to defend itself and its population with absolute respect of international humanitarian law, a call for an immediate and lasting truce that could lead to a ceasefire, as well as a call for avoiding regional spillover. \u00a0There is a need for a decisive relaunching of negotiations on agreed parameters for a two-State solution. \u00a0\u201cThis Council must not remain silent on these elements; it must be demanding and up to what is at stake,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

ANDR\u00c9S EFREN MONTALVO SOSA (Ecuador<\/u>) said his country voted in favour of the resolution because of its urgent and relevant elements, among them, the obligation to uphold international law and the establishment of safe, unhindered humanitarian access. \u00a0The draft just adopted focuses on urgent humanitarian needs due to the grave conflict in Gaza that was unleashed following the attacks by Hamas on 7\u00a0October. \u00a0\u201cIt is an essential first step by the Council,\u201d he said, noting that the general text is a valuable starting point. \u00a0\u201cBut our work must continue,\u201d he added. \u00a0Ecuador abstained on the amendment because the draft, which was the outcome of a negotiation process in which all Council members participated, should be preserved, he said, thanking Malta for its leadership. \u00a0He also acknowledged that some States avoided exercising what would have been a damaging veto.<\/p>\n

ISHIKANE KIMIHIRO (Japan<\/u>), noting that for nearly six weeks the Council remained silent as the conflict worsened to an unprecedented degree, said, \u201ctoday, at last, we were able to act\u201d. \u00a0Stating that he voted in favour of the draft resolution, he expressed appreciation for the ongoing diplomatic efforts made by key actors, including the United States.\u00a0 \u201cThis is just the beginning,\u201d he said, emphasizing that the Council needs to continue its engagement on this file to protect civilians \u2014 women, persons with disabilities, and children. \u00a0It must prevent the conflict from spreading and bring peace to the region.<\/p>\n

PASCALE BAERISWYL (Switzerland<\/u>) said that this first step by the Council comes belatedly.\u00a0 She emphasized the plight of the victims affected by the Hamas terrorist attacks, highlighting the tragic loss of thousands of civilians in Israel and throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 7\u00a0October.\u00a0 Switzerland recognizes Israel’s right to ensure its defence and security. \u00a0\u201cWe call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,\u201d she said.\u00a0 Their captivity in Gaza in appalling conditions for more than a month is unjustifiable, as were the acts of terror and indiscriminate attacks perpetrated by Hamas against Israeli civilians since 7\u00a0October.\u00a0 Switzerland most firmly condemns these terrorist attacks. \u00a0\u201cWe will continue to work towards pursuing the Council’s work on the draft resolution of the 10 elected members which addresses the situation as a whole and to which much effort has been devoted in recent weeks,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

DOMINGOS EST\u00caV\u00c3O FERNANDES (Mozambique<\/u>) said his country is convinced this resolution is an important step towards mitigating the suffering of the Gazan people, but it does not address the fundamentals of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.\u00a0 Mozambique associates itself with the collective efforts to protect civilians, especially children, in full compliance with human rights law and international humanitarian law. \u00a0He called for an immediate, durable and sustained cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue. \u00a0Israel and Palestine can only resolve their differences through peace and dialogue, he added.<\/p>\n

FERIT HOXHA (Albania<\/u>) said supporting peace efforts is the Security Council\u2019s raison d’\u00eatre and that when civilians are harmed anywhere in the world, the Council cannot stand idle. \u00a0Its inability to act in the last six weeks has been particularly distressing, he said. \u00a0\u201cThe world has been watching and waiting and hoping,\u201d he said. \u00a0For that reason, Albania welcomed the adoption of the resolution, imperfect as it is. \u00a0\u201cIt is a strong message of hope and solidarity with those suffering,\u201d he said, though he expressed regret it contained no clear and strong condemnation of Hamas. \u00a0\u201cWe need to face the truth: \u00a0the death toll among Palestinians civilians, including children and women, is unbearable and unjustified. \u00a0This death toll spiral must stop.\u201d \u00a0It is important not to lose sight of the fact that Hamas is directly responsible for this situation, he said.<\/p>\n

NORBERTO MORETTI (Brazil<\/u>), welcoming the adoption of the draft resolution, said, \u201cIt was long overdue. \u00a0A response by this body commensurate with the gravity of the situation was urgent since day one \u2014 that is more than five weeks ago.\u201d \u00a0Noting that its passage has been a \u201clong and painful process\u201d, he recalled that before the text adopted today, more comprehensive and timely resolutions have been attempted, including one presented by Brazil.\u00a0 Successive vetoes, the spectre of \u201cpocket vetoes\u201d or the lack of a real negotiating process have prevented them. \u00a0As the Council failed repeatedly, the General Assembly acted on 27\u00a0October.\u00a0 Echoing the Secretary-General\u2019s call for a humanitarian ceasefire, he expressed regret that the draft resolution adopted falls short of bold and necessary steps.\u00a0\u201cWe do hope that if truly and urgently implemented, today\u2019s decision will at least mitigate the dreadful situation we have before us,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Mr.\u00a0NEBENZYA (Russian Federation<\/u>) said that his delegation abstained during the vote on the draft resolution.\u00a0 Without supplies of fuel and in the next few hours, according to estimates by United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA), Gaza will be without any communication, without Internet and completely isolated from the outside world. \u00a0Meanwhile, the Israeli army is storming the Al-Shifa Hospital.\u00a0 \u201cWe’re hearing worrisome reports about executions of medical personnel,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Humanitarian pauses are not and cannot be a replacement for a ceasefire, or even a truce.\u00a0People who will be evacuated will find themselves under new shelling, he said.<\/p>\n

From the very beginning of the current escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the delegation of the United States has sabotaged any attempts to develop a balanced and depoliticized document aimed at adopting realistic and urgent steps to de-escalate the situation, he said.\u00a0The United States justifies the collective punishment of Palestinians.\u00a0 Washington, D.C. has consistently rejected draft resolutions that have demanded a humanitarian ceasefire.\u00a0 The United States today expressed outrage that the Council cannot condemn the Hamas attack of 7\u00a0October and criticized those who have prevented this.\u00a0\u201cIt was the United States on 18\u00a0October that vetoed the draft resolution of Brazil that specifically condemned that act,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The language of today\u2019s resolution has been hollowed out, he went on to say, adding that it is a \u201cdisgrace\u201d that the Council, which has a uniquely powerful toolbox, could only \u201csqueeze out such a weak call\u201d.\u00a0 The Russian Federation is \u201cextremely disappointed\u201d that its amendment to the resolution was not adopted.\u00a0 Some are not concerned about the effectiveness of the Council.\u00a0 \u201cThe main thing is to say that the Council, so-to-speak, adopted something humanitarian,\u201d he said, expressing concern that the resolution will not be implemented on the ground. \u00a0\u201cWho will give approval for humanitarian pauses, who will monitor and verify them and what will be the consequences of them not being complied with?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 The document adopted will not contribute to overcoming the humanitarian crisis that the Gaza Strip finds itself in and its population is suffering.<\/p>\n

Ms.\u00a0NUSSEIBEH (United Arab Emirates<\/u>) welcomed the adoption of the resolution, saying it is crucial that the Council has come together around the urgent need to protect civilians, especially children.\u00a0 She recognized that its adoption was only possible through difficult negotiations and compromises on all sides, and she recognized Malta\u2019s leadership and the commitment of each Council member on this, across their geographical divides. \u00a0She believes lives will be saved because of this work, but it only begins the Council\u2019s response to this war and this crisis.\u00a0 \u201cToo much time has passed, too many people have been killed and too much destruction has been wrought.\u201d \u00a0Where Hamas is not operating, Palestinians are also losing their lives on land internationally recognized as part of their future State. \u00a0During the past 40 days, almost 200 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank due to settler violence and raids. \u00a0This must stop and Israel must hold accountable those responsible.<\/p>\n

She said Member States now need to use this resolution. \u00a0Her country will receive 1,000 Palestinian children and their families for medical treatment, with the first group hopefully arriving this week. \u00a0It hopes to establish an emergency field hospital in the Gaza Strip. \u00a0She called for Member States to now scale up assistance and for the Council to resolve the conflict. \u00a0\u201cWhat emerges from the ruins of Gaza may be our last chance to save it,\u201d she said, adding, however, that it will need everyone to work together. \u00a0The fate of peace and security in the Middle East is a shared responsibility, she said, adding that Israel\u2019s lasting security will remain elusive if it is built on the continued denial of Palestinians\u2019 inalienable right to self-determination.<\/p>\n

ZHANG JÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ (China<\/u>) said his country has always supported efforts to promote a ceasefire, an end to fighting and the restoration of peace. \u00a0He welcomed any initiative to protect civilians and ease the humanitarian crisis, which is why China voted in favour of the resolution. \u00a0The Council should have adopted a more comprehensive and robust resolution much earlier. \u00a0But for reasons known to all, in particular, the repeated obstruction of a Permanent member, this resolution can serve as only a first step, based on minimum consensus. \u00a0Nonetheless, the resolution is of positive significance as an initial step towards a ceasefire, averting a greater humanitarian catastrophe, he added.<\/p>\n

China looks forward to the immediate realization of durable humanitarian pauses, as called for in the text, to allow Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ humanitarian agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and others to carry out full-scale humanitarian operations, to urgently search for and rescue missing children, to transfer and treat the critically injured, and to rehabilitate critical infrastructure. He expressed grave concern and strong opposition to the clear violations of international humanitarian law taking place in Gaza, including the siege of the Al-Shifa Hospital. \u00a0He urged Israel to immediately cease its military operations against civilian facilities, including hospitals, and restore water and fuel and other basic supplies. \u00a0\u201cThe Security Council must stand on the side of justice,\u201d he said, adding that China will continue to work with all parties.<\/p>\n

Ms.\u00a0FRAZIER (Malta<\/u>), taking the floor again, said that with the adoption of resolution 2712 (2023), the Council reaffirmed its responsibility and commitment to the safeguarding of civilian lives, especially those of children.\u00a0\u201cWhat we have achieved today is an important first step,\u201d she stressed, emphasizing that her country \u2014 throughout its term as an elected member of the Council \u2014 will remain steadfast in its commitment to the protection of civilians and the plight of children in armed conflict.<\/p>\n

RIYAD H. MANSOUR, Permanent Observer for the\u00a0State of Palestine<\/u>, said that the Security Council should have called for a ceasefire a long time ago.\u00a0 \u201cGaza bleeds. Death, devastation, destruction everywhere. No one was spared,\u201d he said. \u00a0The Council should have been convinced that there is no military solution, especially one that relies on the commission of atrocities, and it should have advanced political ones.\u00a0 Pointing to the condemnations missing from the humanitarian resolution focused on children, he emphasized the killing by Israel of 11,000 Palestinians, including 5,000 children; indiscriminate attacks; assaults on hospitals and schools; killing of United Nations staff, journalists and doctors; as well as the racist Israeli propaganda methods.<\/p>\n

Operative paragraph\u00a01 of the text demands all parties to comply with international law, he said, asking whether Israel has ever been held accountable for continuously committing crimes against the Palestinian people and dismissing decades of calls for respecting the law. \u00a0\u201cAre you going to hold Israel accountable for rejecting the resolution you adopted this afternoon,\u201d he asked. \u00a0The bombings and incursions must stop now. \u00a0Humanitarian aid must come in now. Fuel must come in. \u00a0Stressing that millions of lives hang in the balance, he added: \u201cThis madness must be brought to an end.\u201d \u00a0Ceasing the bombing will facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, rescue operations for those trapped under the rubble, including children, proper burials for the deceased and the release of those held in captivity.<\/p>\n

Civilians, who are protected under international law, suffer the most in Gaza, he said, describing the situation as \u201ca failure of humanity of terrifying magnitude.\u201d \u00a0Stop the killing, stop the forced displacement, allow humanitarian aid in and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, he urged. \u00a0These should not be words in a resolution, but a reality on the ground. \u00a0He went on to warn against allowing Israel\u2019s narrative \u2014 which justifies killing of Palestinians without accountability \u2014 to dominate. \u00a0\u201cThere is an alternative reality in which Palestinians are free and no Palestinian and no Israeli is killed. \u00a0It is time for it to prevail. It is time for peace,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n

BRETT JONATHAN MILLER (Israel<\/u>) commended the Council for calling for an immediate release of the 239 hostages.\u00a0 However, the resolution will sadly \u201cfall on deaf ears\u201d when it comes to Hamas.\u00a0 On 7\u00a0October, Hamas terrorists launched a barbaric invasion into Israel, murdering, raping, and brutalizing innocent civilians.\u00a0 Since then, the Council has convened on the matter almost 10 times and still has not succeeded in condemning Hamas\u2019 7\u00a0October massacre.\u00a0Today\u2019s resolution focuses solely on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.\u00a0 \u201cIt makes no mention of what led up to this moment,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Hamas has made it clear that given the chance, it will commit its atrocities again.\u00a0 \u201cThey have shown the world that the genocidal rhetoric is not hyperbole, but an oath to annihilate Israel by any means,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not about retaliation, or revenge for Hamas\u2019 violence, it is Israel upholding the right to self-defence, ensuring that such horrors are never repeated,\u201d he emphasized. \u00a0Hamas is a jihadist organization \u201chell-bent\u201d on Israel’s destruction through the targeting of Israeli civilians, and the use of Gazan civilians as human shields.\u00a0Despite this Council’s intentions Hamas \u201cdoes not care for your resolutions, or your demands\u201d.\u00a0 Israel has already implemented humanitarian pauses during which Gazan civilians can temporarily evacuate the active war zone. \u00a0Hamas, on the other hand, murders Gazans as they try to evacuate.\u00a0 Israel has approved the entry of nearly 1,400 trucks with thousands of tons worth of aid.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Hamas is holding food, fuel, and medical supplies for its terror machine.<\/p>\n

Yesterday, Israel supplied neonatal incubators and medical supplies to Al-Shifa Hospital, he said.\u00a0 Just two days ago, Israel handed over 300 litres of fuel to Al-Shifa Hospital. \u00a0Hamas prevented the hospital staff from accepting it.\u00a0Hamas\u2019 goal is to intensify and deteriorate the humanitarian situation in Gaza to broadcast Palestinian hardship to the world, and by doing so, exploit this very body to tie Israel’s hands.\u00a0Bringing the hostages home is Israel\u2019s top priority.\u00a0 Israel will continue to do whatever it takes to accomplish this goal. \u00a0\u201cShould Hamas choose to lay down their arms, turn themselves in, and hand over the hostages unscathed, this war would end immediately,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

9479TH MEETING (PM) SC\/15496 15 NOVEMBER 2023 In a late-breaking meeting today, the Security Council adopted resolution 2712 (2023) by a vote of 12\u00a0in favour to none against, with 3\u00a0abstentions (Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States), by which it called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors through the Gaza Strip to facilitate the […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":301,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[657,723,759,807,5615,897,5248,1593,1074,1152,1197,2321,2553],"document-category":[1329,4565],"document-source":[1362,6169],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[1769,1829,2265,2005,6848,1741,5200,6845,1626],"entity":[],"document-language":[],"class_list":["post-290765","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","country-albania","country-brazil","country-china","country-ecuador","country-gabon","country-israel","country-mozambique","country-palestine-state-of","country-russian-federation","country-switzerland","country-united-arab-emirates","country-united-kingdom","country-united-states-of-america","document-category-press-release","document-category-security-council-resolution","document-source-security-council","document-source-united-nations-department-of-global-communications","document-subject-armed-conflict","document-subject-casualties","document-subject-ceasefire","document-subject-gaza-strip","document-subject-hostages","document-subject-human-rights-and-international-humanitarian-law","document-subject-humanitarian-relief","document-subject-protection-of-civilians","document-subject-security-council-briefings"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/290765","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\/301"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/290765\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":290786,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/290765\/revisions\/290786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=290765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=290765"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=290765"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=290765"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=290765"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=290765"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=290765"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=290765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}