UNSC members condemn Haniyeh assassination, attack on Beirut suburb
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The United Nations Security Council convenes an emergency session to discuss the developments and implications of the Israeli assassination of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh while he was in Tehran.
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The Security Council meets at the United Nations headquarters, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (AP)
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session following the Israeli occupation's aggression against Iran.
Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani stated that the United States, as "Israel's" strategic ally and main supporter, cannot be absolved of responsibility for the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh.
Iravani emphasized that "this terrorist act is another manifestation of Israel's decades-long pattern of terrorism targeting Palestinians and supporters of the Palestinian cause."
He also stressed that this crime is a serious violation of international law and the UN Charter, as well as a grave breach of Iran's sovereignty and national security.
Iravani called for immediate and effective action from the Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities.
He noted that "this crime is not isolated but part of a broader pattern of aggressive actions and policies by Israel against other countries in the region," pointing out that the Israeli aggression against Iran and the attack on Beirut's Southern Suburb indicate an intention to escalate the conflict and expand the war throughout the region.
He further asserted that the horrific crime targeting Haniyeh could not have occurred without the authorization and intelligence support of the United States, warning that continued Israeli aggressions threaten peace and stability in the region and urging the international community, especially the Security Council, to take decisive measures to counter these violations and hold the perpetrators accountable.
He called on the Security Council to demand that "Israel" immediately cease all its aggressive actions against Palestinian territories and other countries in the region.
Lebanon: Israeli aggressions threaten to drag region into uncontrollable war
In turn, Lebanon's Acting Permanent Representative to the UN, Hadi Hashem, stated that the Israeli attack on Beirut's southern suburb represents a more dangerous chapter in the conflict.
He emphasized that this aggression threatens to drag the region into an uncontrollable war.
Hashem added that "Israel" followed its attack on the suburb with the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran, confirming its intention to ignite the situation in the region.
Regarding the Israeli occupation's massacre in the Golan Heights, Hashem stated that "Israel's" claim of protecting Golan residents has no basis since the Golan is occupied Syrian territory.
Palestine: 'Israel's' threat extends beyond the Palestinian people
Palestine's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Fida Abdel Latif stated that "Israel continues to violate international law and commit genocide because it feels immune from accountability."
She added that the Security Council does not even demand that "Israel" implement its resolutions or the opinions of the International Court of Justice.
Abdel Latif emphasized that "Israel's threat extends beyond the Palestinian people alone."
She also discussed the ongoing settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, which undermine the two-state solution, and questioned how long "Israel" will be unaccountable or even prevented from receiving arms.
Syria: 'Israel' responsible for the crime in Majdal Shams
In a similar context, Syria's UN ambassador, Qusai Al-Dahhak, stressed that "Israel is responsible for the crime in Majdal Shams", asserting that the Israeli occupation has no right to invoke "self-defense."
He continued that the assassination of Haniyeh and the attack on Beirut's southern suburb reflect the occupation's mentality.
Al-Dahhak pointed out that the Israeli occupation's attacks on all civilians in Gaza, including killing reporters and UN employees, and repeated assaults on Syria would not have occurred without US protection, which "rewards the aggressor with applause".
He called for holding "Israel" accountable for its crimes and affirmed the right of peoples to liberate their occupied lands according to international resolutions.
Iraq: 'Israel' continues to expand the war
As for Iraq's UN Ambassador Abbas Kazem Al-Fatlawi, he stated that "the usurping entity continues to expand the war, leading to dangerous repercussions in the region that are difficult to control."
He called on the Security Council to maintain international peace and security by stopping the war in Gaza.
Russia: This was an attempt to drag Iran into a full-scale war
Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, condemned the Israeli occupation's assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, noting that those behind the assassination were aware of its political ramifications for the region.
In his speech during the Security Council session, Polyansky stated that this was "an attempt to drag Iran into a full-scale war," drawing a parallel with the assassination of martyr Hajj Qasem Soleimani in Iraq.
He also mentioned the Israeli occupation's attack on Beirut's Southern Suburb, affirming that these actions jeopardize regional stability.
Polyansky stressed that the situation "should not be allowed to escalate into a full-scale war in the region," adding that the solution begins with stopping the war in Gaza and ending the massacres there.
Rosemary DiCarlo, UN under-secretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs, stated that the recent attacks in Lebanon, Iran, and "Israel" represent a serious escalation of regional tensions.
Sierra Leone's UN Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu condemned the attack on Iran and the Israeli assault on Beirut, calling on "Israel" to respect the recent International Court of Justice decisions.
Read more: IRGC vow 'Israel' will pay heavy price for assassinating Haniyeh
