During the open discussion session held by the United Nations Security Council on developments in Palestine and the region, many UN and international bodies rejected the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza and warned of the worsening humanitarian crisis.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres confirmed that the humanitarian support system in Gaza is almost completely collapsing, noting that there is no justification for the collective punishment of the Palestinian people in light of the ongoing genocidal war on the Gaza Strip for about 10 months.

In his speech delivered by Courtenay Rattray, Chief of Cabinet of the UN Secretary-General, he explained that nearly two million Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza and half a million are facing catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity, in addition to the rise in infectious diseases. 

“Rafah is in ruins – and the Rafah crossing remains closed, further hampering humanitarian operations. Almost two million people have been displaced – nearly the entire population of Gaza – and many of them multiple times," he stated.

“Nowhere in Gaza is safe,” he emphasized.

In a heart-wrenching exclusive, #AlMayadeen interviews a young Palestinian girl who shares her firsthand account of the recent #alMawasi massacre in Khan Younis. On Tuesday, Israeli occupation forces brutally murdered 17 Palestinians and injured 26 others, according to the… pic.twitter.com/5DUr3KDk6e

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 17, 2024

Regarding the Israeli aggression in the West Bank, Guterres expressed that "Israel" is "steadily altering" the geographic makeup of the occupied West Bank, adding that “the seizure of large land parcels in strategic areas and changes to planning, land management and governance are expected to significantly accelerate settlement expansion."

“If left unaddressed, these measures risk causing irreparable damage...we must change course. All settlement activity must cease immediately. Israeli settlements are a flagrant violation of international law and a key obstacle to peace.”

For his part, the Palestinian representative at the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, described what is happening in Gaza as the "largest documented genocide in history," adding that "Israel" has decided to impose the most horrific living conditions on the living concurrently with ongoing mass killings. 

Regarding the danger of a regional war, Mansour stressed that Benjamin Netanyahu only cares about remaining in power.

On the decisions of the International Court of Justice regarding the charges of genocide brought against "Israel", Mansour said that the decisions of this court are binding, but "Israel" accuses the international system of "terrorism" and insults its symbols. 

“There is more convergence on the Palestine question than on any other matter on the international agenda,” he stated. 

The Israeli government’s genocide is accelerating with full support from the US. In the past week, hundreds of Palestinians were killed in designated safe zones as the Israeli military continues to deliberately attack the places it has forced Palestinans to flee to. Nowhere in… pic.twitter.com/DVW5ygvqsy

— Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive) July 16, 2024

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Bagheri Kani warns against aggression in Lebanon

Acting Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani stressed that the United States is complicit in Israeli crimes against Palestinians and cited that Washington bears a greater responsibility because it protects the occupation via its veto power.

"This country, with approximately 50 vetoes and extensive support to the Israeli regime, has not only played a role in this major failure of the Council but has also been a primary accomplice in the crimes and aggressions committed."

Bagheri Kani asserted that the only way out is for "Israel" to end the aggression, which has "brutally weaponized starvation as a means of war."

He added that time will not give legitimacy to the occupation and that a comprehensive and just solution can only be achieved by ending the occupation.

Regarding the expansion of the war in the region, Bagheri Kani stressed that any aggression against Lebanon would be met with "a decisive and disappointing response from the international community, the nations of the region, and the resistance groups."

Lavrov: We support Palestine's membership in the Security Council

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during the session  rejected the collective punishment taking place in Gaza, stressing that "Gaza is in ruins."

Lavrov blamed the US' failed policy for the "unprecedented explosion of violence" in the region, accusing Washington of being a "direct participant in the conflict," just as it is in Ukraine. 

According to Lavrov, "If this support stops, the bloodshed will be stopped."

The Foreign Minister announced that Russia is supportive of Palestinian UN membership and expressed Russia's support for a ceasefire, calling for safe and adequate humanitarian access.

He emphasized the need for all foreign stakeholders to put their geopolitical objectives aside and end the decades-long persecution of Palestinians.

China: Killing in Gaza does not free captives

China's UN envoy, Fu Cong, stressed that the red line has been crossed several times in the Gaza Strip, where attacks continue, emphasizing that all this killing will not lead to the release of Israeli captives.

He called on "Israel" to stop killing Palestinians and to allow aid in, as well as to open all crossings.

Cong stressed that it is not permissible to bomb the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), condemning the targeting of UN employees and demanding an investigation into the killing of hundreds of them. 

He announced that Beijing recognizes the State of Palestine and that a comprehensive solution must be reached instead of partial solutions, noting the need to hold an international conference to end this crisis and calling on "everyone to return to calm and self-restraint so that the region does not drift into a comprehensive conflict."

38K+ killed later, #JoeBiden said that he has done the most for Palestinians. You read it right. #US President Joe Biden reaffirmed he was a Zionist who has "done more for the Palestinian community than anybody," in said in an interview with Complex Networks’ 360 with Speedy.… pic.twitter.com/Of6gGiVCiH

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 16, 2024