‘Human Toll Mounting’, Security Council Told, as Focus Shifts Back to Gaza after Israel-Iran Ceasefire

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.  Citing figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health, he said that since 7 October 2023, 56,500 Palestinians have been killed, with 1,068 fatalities since 17 June, an average of 82 per day.

Highlighting several incidents, including the striking by Israeli forces of three houses in Jabalia on 19 June, killing at least 14 people from the same family, he also drew attention to ongoing casualties resulting from attacks on Palestinians seeking aid from militarized food distribution points and aid convoys.  Since 17 June, 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 June, when Israel Defense Forces troops reportedly opened fire near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites north of Al Bureij Camp and north-west Rafah.

“The United Nations will not participate in any aid delivery modality that does not comply with the fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality,” he said.  Turning to the fiscal crisis faced by the Palestinian Authority, he called for a resolution to Israel’s increased withholding of clearance revenues, and for the international community to prepare the Palestinian Authority to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza.

On the occupied West Bank, he drew attention to casualties in the wake of continued operations by Israeli security forces in the north, and voiced alarm over “relentless” Israeli settlement expansion.  Moreover, he voiced concern over the Israeli Government’s decision to resume formal land registration in Area C and the serious risk that this will facilitate further settlement expansion and entrenchment.  He went on to welcome the ceasefire reached between Iran and Israel and hoped it will be replicated elsewhere in the region, adding:  “Nowhere is this more needed than in Gaza.”

Today’s briefing was convened pursuant to Council resolution 2334 (2016), which requests the Secretary-General to report every three months on its implementation.  The resolution demands that Israel cease all settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. However, discussions extended beyond settlements, covering the risk of famine in Gaza, aid delivery conducted by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation — 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.

“The demonization of Palestinians has reached its ultimate expression in Gaza, with the genocide continuing as we meet again, and again, and again,” said the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine, adding:  “Nothing can justify a genocide.”  The latest report on the “continuous breach” of Council resolution 2334 (2016) details the price of failing to hold perpetrators accountable for their violations of international law, he said.

Deploring that aid is used to “torment our people” and force them to leave their land, he said Palestinians are entitled to life, freedom, security and their own independent State.  One State cannot veto the existence of another, he stressed, calling for an end to Israel’s chokehold on the State of Palestine, politically, militarily, and financially.  He deplored the withholding of $2.3 billion of Palestinian revenue, and asserted his State’s right to life, dignity, justice, and reparation.  “We are still pursuing peace, despite all that was done to us,” he said, adding:  “We ask for nothing more than what international law has determined as our rights, and we will accept nothing less.”

46 Million Meals Delivered without Being Looted

Israel’s representative, meanwhile, stated that Yonatan Samerano, taken hostage by an United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) “terrorist”, was recently buried, while the UN “buried its head in the sand”.  Although the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has delivered 46 million meals in a month with speed and efficiency, while bypassing the terrorists who divert such aid, the UN has responded with “indifference, defamation and obstruction”.

Noting the torture and execution of the Foundation’s employees by Hamas three weeks ago, he deplored the UN’s silence “in the face of murder”, and its false allegations about violent incidents, as well as “insane conspiracies” that allege that the aid contains drugs.  His country’s Rising Lion operation struck nuclear operations in Iran, significantly neutralizing its ability to launch ballistic missiles without losing a single aircraft.  “We targeted the war machine and not its people,” he said.  However, Iran murdered 28 Israeli citizens and is responsible for the flow of weapons through Judea and Samaria, he added.

The United States’ representative chimed in, citing his delegation’s efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza through its support of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which provides lifesaving aid “without empowering terrorists”.  On the West Bank, the United States supports the efforts of Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian Authority forces to counter extremists.  In response to remarks by some Council members, he reiterated that aid distribution should happen in a way that doesn’t allow Hamas to benefit.  In addition, he stated that accusations of genocide fuel antisemitism around the world.

Non-UN Aid Distribution Sites ‘Deathtrap’

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.

Among them was Pakistan’s delegate, who observed that the so-called new aid system places starving civilians in danger and forces them to cross military lines.  “It is a grotesque cycle of horror, and it is a deathtrap,” he said.  “There is no need to reinvent the wheel, UN already has a delivery system.”  The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza defies comprehension with “levels of suffering and brutality that are shocking and unbearable,” he added.

“Israel’s aid delivery measures are inhumane,” said the United Kingdom’s delegate, pointing out that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s operations, which are supposed to be saving lives, are leading to mass casualties.  His delegation is concerned by reports that Hamas has targeted the Foundation’s staff and by reports of widespread looting by criminal gangs.  The UN can deliver aid at scale without endangering civilians.  Humanitarian workers need to operate in safety, he said, a view echoed by Somalia’s delegate.

“Seeking food must never mean seeking death,” said China’s representative, deploring weaponization of humanitarian assistance and calling for a “serious and full investigation” of attacks on civilians in Gaza.  Israel 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.

Panama’s representative, pointing out that “half a million people are on the verge of starvation” 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.  Their capacities should be bolstered, not replaced.

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 “not guided by humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence”.

Condemnations of Israeli Settlements

France’s 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.  In that context, he urged Israel to “end without delay any new settlement”, adding that his country has “adopted 59 individual sanctions against extremist settlers who are guilty of violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank”.

The representative of Algeria remarked that today’s 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.  “Either we protect international law or announce the official death of international law,” he said.  Similarly, the Russian Federation’s representative noted the lack of progress on implementing 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’ systemic expansion of their illegal presence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.  “Israel’s settlement activity itself is developing in leaps and bounds,” he said, noting the plans for the construction of nearly 10,000 new housing units from March to June alone.

Calls for a Palestinian State

Sierra Leone’s 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.  “Therefore, all parties are urged to act in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law, to uphold the principles of humanity, justice and accountability,” he said.

Israeli settlements — a clear violation of international law — “push Palestinians into isolated enclaves, making it virtually impossible to form a connected and viable land for a future Palestinian State”, stressed Denmark’s delegate, calling for the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016) and the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion.  The 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 “expediated revitalization and reform” of that body in the situation where Hamas has been greatly weakened.  The latter welcomed the recent bold reforms undertaken by the Palestinian Authority, as well as the recent appointment of a Foreign Minister.

For his part, Slovenia’s delegate voiced regret over the postponement of the conference on the two-State solution, expressing firm support for the co-chairs, namely France and Saudi Arabia.  Additional steps to weaken the Palestinian Authority, particularly through its precarious financial situation, are deeply disturbing.  His delegation condemns actions that sharply contradict the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion of July 2024, which clearly outlined Israel’s obligation to end the illegal occupation.