Countries at UNSC reiterate urgency to end war on Gaza
5 Min Read
The UN has voiced grave concerns about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing that the "wanton destruction of civilian infrastructure is intensifying suffering and violence."
-
Palestinians inspect the rubble of a school destroyed in an Israeli airstrike on Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on July 27, 2024. (AP)
During the United Nations Security Council session, countries expressed deep concern about the deteriorating crisis in Gaza, calling for an end to civilian suffering and demanding a ceasefire.
Riyad Mansour, the Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine, emphasized that a ceasefire must be implemented immediately, under resolution 2735, without any additional conditions or detrimental demands that undermine the resolution’s intent and purpose. He condemned any attempts to obstruct ceasefire efforts with conditions that contravene the resolution’s spirit and objectives.
"When are you going to act?" he asked the council.
"Deal or no deal, there is no excuse for Israel’s continued killing of innocent Palestinian civilians, he stressed.
Mansour also noted that President Mahmoud Abbas has announced his plan, along with the Palestinian leadership, to travel to Gaza. He urged global leaders to join and support this initiative.
Council is ‘passive observer of ongoing bloodbath’: Russia
Dmitry Polyansky, the acting Permanent Representative of Russia, expressed regret in his speech that the Security Council was not able to cease fire in Gaza for ten months and "remains a passive observer of the ongoing bloodbath."
He reminded the Council that two months ago, its members adopted a resolution proposed by the United States, which ultimately proved ineffective.
Polyansky stressed that "now is the time to review how this text has affected the situation on the ground," adding, "We can give an unequivocal answer to this: in no way."
'It is time to end the carnage in Gaza': Algeria
On behalf of Algeria, the Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama outlined the grim reality in the Strip, with "Israel’s" policies making “Gaza an unliveable place for Palestinians.”
“The situation is catastrophic,” he said. “It worsens on a daily basis, and there is no sign of hope.”
He stated that a permanent ceasefire is “the only path” to prevent further regional escalation, demanding “the immediate and effective implementation of Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2735, which ensures an end to hostilities, a full withdrawal of Israeli occupying forces from Gaza, and the return of Palestinians to their homes.”
“It must be implemented now,” he said. “It is time to end the carnage in Gaza.”
‘Blind faith in military victory’: China
Moreover, the Chinese Permanent Representative Fu Cong told the Council that "Israel's" assaults on Gaza have continued and there are “new casualties every day,” adding that “Israel has turned a deaf ear to calls for a ceasefire.”
He urged "Israel" to meet its obligations under international humanitarian law, including opening border crossings to allow relief aid to enter.
'Profound human tragedy': UN Special Coordinator
Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, addressed the UN Security Council, saying, "The Gaza war, with its profound human tragedy, the looming risk of regional escalation, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, is creating a volatile situation in the Middle East."
He warned that a minor incident or error in judgment could ignite a chain reaction of escalating violence, possibly involving millions more in the war, emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire agreement.
Wennesland highlighted the devastating impact of Israeli airstrikes on civilian infrastructure, including schools and mosques, in Gaza, saying that the "wanton destruction of civilian infrastructure is fueling suffering and violence, which is reverberating throughout the broader region."
He condemned the recent rampage by illegal Israeli settlers in the Palestinian village of Jit, calling it a "violent consequence of settlement expansion" and a reflection of the ongoing lack of accountability.
'Repeated obstruction of humanitarian assistance'
Dr. Louisa Baxter, operations lead for Save the Children’s Emergency Health unit in Gaza, highlighted the critical conditions for children, stating that common illnesses have become life-threatening due to "malnutrition, lack of water, and the absence of medications."

She accused the Israeli government of "willful and repeated obstruction of humanitarian assistance in Gaza."

Citing reports of children released from Israeli military detention, she said, "These children report sexual violence, including rape. They report being denied food, beaten, and attacked by dogs. They report seeing their parents stripped and beaten in front of them."
Baxter stressed that these children are struggling with profound trauma.
She pointed out that the reemergence of polio in Gaza, linked to the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure and the blockade of clean water, is a grave concern.
"Polio is spreading in Gaza and it will not wave at inspection gates at Kerala or the customs desk at Ben Gurion Airport," she warned, highlighting the broader regional threat.
"We have collectively failed the children of Gaza for 320 days," she added.
It is important to highlight that similar statements were echoed at the UN Security Council session back in July, where numerous UN and international bodies condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza and warned of the deepening humanitarian crisis.
Despite these urgent warnings, the declarations have proven largely ineffective, as the war persists and no substantive action has been taken against the occupation.
