General Assembly: 59th plenary meeting, Tenth emergency special session

The 59th plenary meeting of the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly is called to order. The Assembly will continue its consideration of agenda item 5 entitled Illegal Israeli actions on occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom.

Thank you, President. It has now been over 400 days since Hamas's abhorrent attacks on Israel on the 7th of October, 2023. Over 400 days that the hostages have been cruelly held in captivity. At the outset, I want to make clear the UK's unequivocal call for the immediate release of the hostages, including British citizen Emily Demari. We call on Hamas to stop their abhorrent crimes and to comply with international law. President, we must see this conflict come to an end. The scale of suffering in Gaza is unimaginable. Famine is imminent in some areas, and the UN has reported a shocking increase in cases of acute malnutrition in children. Lack of access to medical treatment will only compound this devastating issue. The past two months have been the worst for aid access since October 2023. International obligations are abundantly clear. The World Food Programme report found that for more than 50 days, barely any food has entered besieged areas. Israel must ensure sufficient aid reaches civilians in Gaza. I reiterate, there is no excuse for Israel's restrictions on humanitarian assistance. Urgent solutions are required now to prevent the very worst from unfolding. We also remain deeply concerned about civilian deaths and damage to civilian infrastructure caused by IDF activity. In North Gaza, Kamal Adwan Hospital has recently come under fire and seriously injured and sick children remain trapped. Israel must do much more to ensure civilians, medical personnel and humanitarian workers are protected and to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law. President, the United Kingdom voted for the draft resolution put to the Security Council on the 19th of November, which called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. We regret that the council was unable to reach consensus. The UK remains resolute in our commitment to the vision of the draft resolution and will keep working alongside our partners to bring this war to a close, secure the release of the hostages, deliver a huge scale-up in aid, better protect civilians, and ensure that the UN can deliver in Gaza. That is why we intend to vote in favour of today's General Assembly resolution calling for these steps. The UK will carefully consider our position on any future accountability options produced in a report from the Secretary General. The UK considers, however, that focus should remain on encouraging all parties to cooperate with existing mechanisms of accountability. With this in mind, The UK reiterates its unwavering support to the ICJ while recognizing their recent advisory opinion is, of course, not binding as a matter of international law and that this resolution does not change that. In any event, there remains an imperative need for negotiations between all parties based on a two-state solution recognising the relevant Security Council resolutions. The UK intends to vote in favour of the resolution in support of UNRWA. We unequivocally reject attempts to undermine or degrade UNRWA. As my Foreign Secretary has said, the legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset seeking to restrict UNRWA's work is unacceptable. UNRWA has an unequivocal mandate from the UN membership to provide lifesaving aid to thousands of Palestinians in need. The UK continues to support UNRWA to deliver important reforms which can further strengthen their commitment to neutrality. As the occupying power, Israel has a responsibility to ensure Palestinians have basic services. UNRWA, and UNRWA alone, is equipped to deliver that. Today, my Prime Minister committed to an additional US$16.5 million to UNRWA to support vital services for Palestinian refugees in the OPTs and the wider region. While the UK intends to vote in favour of this resolution, we wish to clarify that our position does not prejudge any future international legal determinations referenced in the text. President, a ceasefire, the release of hostages now held for over 400 days, and urgent steps to address the humanitarian crisis are more critical than ever. We are working urgently with our partners to deliver on this and to give the people of Gaza and of Israel the prospect of a peaceful future that they deserve. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Norway.

Thank you, President.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to enormous civilian suffering.

Norway strongly regrets that the UN Security.

Council in November again failed to unite on a resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza.

We need an unconditional and permanent ceasefire now. All remaining hostages must be released immediately.

Unrestricted provision of necessary humanitarian aid must be provided to the people of Gaza without delay.

Israel's massive warfare has left Gaza in ruins.

We see a staggering number of civilians being killed and injured, including women and children, every day.

This is completely unacceptable and must stop.

Israeli authorities continue to impede access to food and necessary emergency aid, despite their obligation to secure unimpeded access.

Both into and internally in Gaza. The risk of famine has been imminent for a long time, especially in northern part of Gaza. Norway emphasizes in this regard that starvation of civilians as a method of warfare may constitute a war crime.

President, for more than one year, the Israeli government has systematically obstructed UNRWA.

The backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza, and other organisations providing aid in carrying out their work.

The Knesset legislation adopted on 28 October aims to prevent UNRWA from working in Palestine, effectively crippling the key actor in the middle of a humanitarian catastrophe. Norway condemns these decisions and urges Israel to repeal them. Through these measures, Israel jeopardizes the lives of countless Palestinians, the stability of the region, and ultimately the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.

On behalf of a cross-regional group of countries, Norway will put forward a draft.

Resolution to the UN General Assembly requesting the International Court of Justice to give an advisory opinion.

On Israel's obligations to facilitate humanitarian.

Assistance and other kinds of aid to the Palestinian population delivered by the UN, international organizations and states.

And in fact, this resolution is being uploaded to e-delegate as I speak, and I invite you to co-sponsor it.

Because no country is exempt from its international legal obligations.

No country is above the law.

If we, the international community, do not stand up against those who deliberately undermine international.

Law, we are heading down a very dangerous path. We continue to remind Israel of their obligations under international law, including the provisional measures imposed by the ICJ.

President, in September here in New York, Saudi Arabia, the EU, and Norway launched a global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution.

The best way to bring about peace, stability, and security for Israel, for Palestine, and for the region.

Is through the realization of the Palestinian state and the two-state solution.

Lately, members of the Israeli government have openly been calling for applying sovereignty in the West Bank, a clear step.

Towards illegal annexation. Norway condemns any action and rhetoric aimed at impeding the full realization of the Palestinian state and the two-state solution, including any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip. Let us commit to taking concrete and irreversible steps towards a two state solution. For the record, Norway will support the two resolutions put forward today.

I thank the distinguished representative of Norway. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Mr. President, today the situation in occupied Palestine territory, including Gaza Strip, is critical and severe beyond imagination. Since the beginning of the Israeli genocidal attack, over 44,000 Palestinians, particularly women and children, have been killed, and unprecedented humanitarian crisis has taken place. due to past destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, spread of disease, forced displacement and mass detention. We express deep condolence to the Palestinian victims of the Israeli genocide and their bereaved families, and condemn in strongest terms the genocidal attack by Israel in occupied Palestinian territory in flagrant violation of the UN Charter and international law. It is imperative for international community to put an end urgently Israel's decade-long illegal occupation of Palestinian territory and redouble its efforts to immediately advance process of accountability for all war crimes committed by Israel against the people of Palestine and the other nationalities. Mr. President, The international community has made tireless efforts for several decades to put an end to Israel's illegal occupation and realize the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. However, the fair and just solution to the Palestinian issue remains deadlocked, and the situation in occupied Palestinian territory and the rest of the Middle East region is increasingly becoming aggravated. It is entirely attributable to the unilateral and hegemonic policy and double standard of the United States, which has connived at and patronized Israeli illegal territorial expansion. As is widely known, since outbreak of the Gaza crisis, United States has persistently provided Israel with a huge amount of the military, financial, and logistical support, tasking the light to mass atrocities of Israel. Worse still, United States cast the veto six times at the Security Council on the draft resolutions calling for immediate, permanent, and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza Strip. Such United States unilateral and shameful approach is adding fuel to the already aggravated situation which triggered surge indignation and condemnation from international community. The above fact clearly prove that it's none other than the United States that desperately obstruct the peaceful settlement of Palestinian issue equally aspired by international community. As long as the United States continues to resort to biased and double dealing in favor of patronizing and backing Israel's act of territorial extortion and mass killings, peace and stability can never settle down in the Middle East. International community should resolutely denounce and reject the unilateral and double standard moves of the United States to aggravate the situation of the region. It should take a decisive step to frustrate such United States moves through advanced solidarity and concerted actions. In conclusion, we reaffirm our commitment to support for and solidarity with the Palestinian people in their just struggle to terminate Israel's illegal occupation and to realize their inalienable rights, including self-determination and establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Also, we fully support accession of the State of Palestine as a full-fledged UN member state. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Zimbabwe.

Mr. President, thank you for convening this session, which has been prompted by the recent failure by the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution that was a pathway to securing an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire alongside the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. Furthermore, the resolution would have laid the foundation for addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Mr. President, over the years, we have witnessed a growing number of vetoes on resolutions concerning the question of Palestine. Each successive veto has perpetuated the conflict, prolonged civilian suffering, and diminished the prospects for a just and lasting peace. These vetoes are preventing the Security Council from responding timely to the crisis in Gaza, thereby undermining the Council's credibility and effectiveness. This underscores the urgent need for Security Council reform to ensure that this principal organ of the United Nations can address global challenges impartially. Mr. President, last week, the permanent observer of the State of Palestine delivered a harrowing account of the situation in Gaza. More than 44,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since 7 October 2023, the majority of whom are women and children. More than 300 United Nations and humanitarian staff operating in Gaza have also lost their lives as a result of this unjust conflict. Furthermore, humanitarian efforts are being hampered as aid agencies are failing to deliver critical supplies of food and medicine. At the same time, the operations of UNRWA, which is providing life-saving services to the Palestinians across the Middle East, are being threatened by the recently adopted Israeli legislation. UNRWA must be allowed to carry out its vital work without interruption or politicization. Mr. President, My delegation recalls the various Security Council resolutions that have already been adopted, including resolution 2735, and calls for their full implementation. The full implementation of these binding resolutions will affirm the Palestinians' rights to self-determination, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, end the occupation, promote regional stability, unlock the economic potential in Palestine, and reaffirm our commitment to international law, human rights, and the UN Charter. Mr. President, as I conclude, my delegation reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and its commitment to their right to self-determination, peace, and dignity. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Zimbabwe. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sierra Leone.

Mr. President, Sierra Leone aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Malta on behalf of the 10 elected members of the Security Council. We call the Security Council's meeting on 20th November 2024. Under the agenda item, the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestine question, where we considered a draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. We express our gratitude to the E10 coordinator, Guyana, for their commendable efforts in facilitating the negotiations. Sierra Leone voted in favor of the E10 draft resolution. driven by our unwavering commitment to securing a ceasefire and most importantly to saving lives. We deeply regret that the resolution was not adopted despite 14 members of the Council, an overwhelming majority, voting in favour. With the same urgency to save lives, achieve an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas, and increase the scale of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, Sierra Leone welcomes the draft resolutions to be acted upon by this Assembly. The vote will cast in support of the draft resolution will reflect Sierra Leone's consistent position over the past 14 months following the 7th October 2023 attacks by Hamas, and the response by Israel. With over 44,500 deaths, hundreds of thousands injured, and around 1.7 million internally displaced, the toll on women, children, and the youth is staggering. The need for a ceasefire and the release of all hostages has become urgently overdue. international law unequivocally prohibit conduct that result in devastating and inhumane consequences for civilians during armed conflict so jointly call for all parties to the conflict to comply with the obligations under international law and to ensure that the civilian population in Gaza has access to essential services and humanitarian assistance which are critical for their survival We also acknowledge the vital role of UNRWA in facilitating and distributing aid to civilians. We reiterate the necessity for all parties to the conflict to meet their legal, political, moral, and humanitarian obligations towards the civilians in Gaza and the hostages. Through these resolutions that we'll adopt, we'll seek a further path to justice and accountability. As the United Nations, we must seize this opportunity to reaffirm our role and unite in our collective strength to prevent further destruction and suffering. Mr. President, Serlon welcomes the letter of the Secretary-General bringing to the attention of the General Assembly on an urgent basis two legislations which the Knesset of Israel adopted on 28 October 2024, and which, if implemented, could prevent the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, from continuing its essential work in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, as mandated by the General Assembly. We note with concern, and as highlighted in the Secretary-General's letter, that these legislations, if implemented, could have serious implications for UNRWA's ability to carry out its activities in the occupied Palestinian territory and more broadly in the region, as mandated by this Assembly. In that vein, we reiterated Secretary-General's assessment that UNRWA is the principal means by which essential assistance is delivered to Palestinian refugees in the occupied Palestinian territory, and there is no realistic alternative to UNRWA that could adequately provide the services and assistance required, whether it be other United Nations entity, other international organizations, or any other entity. The cessation of or restrictions on its activities will leave Palestinians without the essential assistance they require. In closing, let me remember all humanitarian workers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and those serving selflessly in Gaza and the region under extreme conditions to provide critical assistance to those in need. We reiterate our full support to UNRWA and recognize the agency's essential role in delivering lifesaving humanitarian support to the Palestinian people. And I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Sierra Leone. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Angola.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, allow me to congratulate you, Mr. President, for resuming this tense emergency special session. Angola aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. I'll make some additional remarks in my national capacity. Mr. President, the resumption of this emergency special session takes place in a very challenging time and complex context, particularly due to the strategic concerns and regional implication in the political and diplomatic environment in the Middle East and the grave deterioration of the humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip. While we meet at this emergency special session, millions of civilians are suffering and dying every day. In this conflict, there are no winners. All are victims. Civilians, majority women and children, are paying a heavy price, losing everything in many occasions, including their own lives. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestation, regardless of its motivation or actors. Moreover, we call on all concerned parties to the Gaza conflict to exercise the utmost restraint, put an end to all hostilities immediately, and fully abide by international law, including international humanitarian law. Mr. President, This conflict needs to come to an end. The immediate implementation of ceasefire can no longer wait. Full and unlimited humanitarian assistance must be granted. All hostages must be released unconditionally. The time for our collective action is now for the sake of those in the Gaza Strip who see these organizations as their very last hope to achieve peace and stability. UNRWA has been providing for education and providing lifesaving assistance to more than 500,000 Palestinian children in the occupied territories, mainly through the nearly 700 schools it operates. In this context, The cessation or restriction of the activity of UNRWA would leave Palestinian refugees without the essential assistance that they require. The Republic of Angola expresses, therefore, its concern about the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. and considers that any move to prevent the presence of UNRWA undermines fundamental human rights, including the right to life, health, food, water, and sanitation, and increases the tension in this very volatile region. Mr. President, the United Nations, namely the Security Council, must take concrete steps to implement its own resolutions. by creating the independent sovereign state of Palestine. Angola reaffirms the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including their right to have an independent state, and calls on the Security Council to admit Palestine as a UN full member. We believe that the two-state solution is the only viable option to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It provides the foundation for the existence of the state of Israel and the state of Palestine living close together in peace and harmony, cooperating in normal way as is supposed to happen between neighboring countries that share common borders and opportunity for bilateral cooperation. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Angola. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bahrain.

Mr. President, at outset, I wish to thank you for resuming the 10th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly. I align myself with the statements made by the GCC, the Arab Group, the OIC, and NAM. Mr. President, this meeting is convened in the wake of the incapacity of the Security Council to adopt a draft resolution that calls for, inter alia, an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, one year after the onset of the war against the Gaza Strip, while the risk of escalation continues to threaten regional stability. Amid the current unprecedented and disastrous humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, we renew our call for an immediate ceasefire and for the unhindered and unconditional delivery of urgent humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip to alleviate the stark suffering of the population of Gaza. The Kingdom of Bahrain stresses that the international community must shoulder its responsibilities under the present circumstances and the implementation of United Nations resolutions on the cessation of hostilities and the provision of protection to civilians under IHL, in addition to the release of all detainees and hostages, the provision of safe corridors for the delivery of relief and humanitarian assistance, to the population of Gaza, the reconstruction of devastated areas, and the provision of support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East as it seeks to fulfill the mandate with which it was entrusted by the General Assembly. Mr. President, the Kingdom of Bahrain reiterates its steadfast position, namely, Its call for the prioritization of dialogue and peaceful means for durable and comprehensive and just peace to prevail in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the resolution of the Palestinian question based on the two-state solution in accordance with the norms of international law and the resolutions of international legitimacy. In this regard, During the 33rd Arab Summit, the Kingdom of Bahrain has provided a number of initiatives serving various central questions to ensure the stability and development of the region, namely the call for an international conference for peace in the Middle East, the full recognition of the state of Palestine and the acceptance of its membership at the United Nations. We also support the global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution spearheaded by the sister kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We've welcomed the agreement on the ceasefire in the Republic of Lebanon through the mediation by the United States and France as an important step for the escalation and the reduction of regional military tension. We stress once more that all parties must abide by an immediate and comprehensive and permanent ceasefire and must implement Security Council Resolution 1701 with all its provisions and allow for the establishment of state control across all Lebanese territories. In conclusion, Mr. President, we stress that there is a need for the international community to adopt an irreversible and credible pathway for the establishment of the independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the 4th of June, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Kingdom will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring comprehensive and durable peace so as to guarantee security and prosperity for all countries of the region. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Bahrain. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of San Marino.

Mr. President, I thank you for convening this emergency special session following the veto cast in the Security Council on 20 November in accordance with General Assembly resolution 76/262. San Marino thanks the elected 10 Security Council members for drafting a resolution which, if adopted, would have unequivocally demanded the cessation of hostilities through an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other armed groups since the attacks of 7 October. We deeply regret that the text was vetoed. The Security Council must fulfil its responsibility and take action in order to put an end to the destruction in Gaza. Without rapid and collective action, civilians will continue to pay the burden of this conflict. San Marino reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Mr. President, San Marino also reiterates its condemnation of the horrible terrorist attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023, calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and recognizes Israel's right to defend itself in line with international law. We deplore the unacceptable number of civilian casualties, especially women and children, in Gaza and the West Bank. as well as the catastrophic levels of hunger and imminent risk of famine caused by the insufficient entry of aid into Gaza following Israel's response to these attacks. Rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access is an obligation under international law. It is essential to ensure urgent humanitarian aid to quickly reach the Palestinian population. In this respect, let me underscore the importance of UNRWA, which provides essential humanitarian assistance to millions of people in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. San Marino is deeply concerned with the recent developments that would hinder the crucial mandate of UNRWA, and we condemn any action aiming at obstructing this agency's capacity to fulfill its mandate. Mr. President, we reiterate our call to all parties to comply with their obligation under humanitarian human rights law and international humanitarian law, including the principle of protection of civilians and their infrastructures of medical facilities, schools, and UN premises. There must be accountability for any violation of international law on all sides. In this respect, we reiterate our full support to the ICC, whose work is crucial in the fight against impunity for genocide and crimes against humanity. Moreover, San Marino alights the need to fully implement the International Court of Justice orders. Mr. President, San Marino remains committed to the realization of a lasting and sustainable peace based on a two-state solution under which the states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace and security and mutual recognition. international community must work together in order to restore hope and security to Israelis and Palestinians through a renewed peace process. In this respect, we welcome the decision to hold an international conference under UN auspices next June. Mr President, San Marino will vote today in favour of the two resolutions. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of San Marino. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Papua New Guinea.

Mr. President, the spotlight in the General Assembly on the Security Council's mandate continues apace, and rightly so, given the importance of the Council's members to step up to the plate to honor their commitment and obligations to serve the cause of peace and security for all of humanity. Papua New Guinea is well cognizant of the outcome of the Council's meeting last month that necessitated the continuation today of the General Assembly's dialogue. Let me place on record that Papua New Guinea, as a peace-loving country, wishes for peace, security, and stability at all levels, including in the Middle East region, and particularly in Israel and Palestine. The dire humanitarian situation in Palestine is indeed a shared concern for all peace-loving nations and peoples, including my own country, as is the ongoing security concerns, not only for Palestinians, but also for the state of Israel. Papua New Guinea notes that all lives matter, and needs to be respected and requires an environment of peace and security. Any lasting peace and security for the Israeli-Palestinian situation requires genuine and mutually respectful direct dialogue on all relevant issues by all parties concerned, particularly the Israelis and Palestinians. This includes Israel's right to self-defense as permitted under international law. In our view, rhetoric from any parties that incites harmful, emotive tensions must be avoided, as this is unhelpful for finding the much-needed pathway for peace and security to take root. Mr. President, the most recent murder of an American hostage held by Hamas is strongly deplored and condemned. We renew our call on those holding the hostages from Israel and several other countries to release them without any preconditions and without any further delay. The ceasefire call without the release of all the hostages is unhelpful to the situation. In closing, Mr. President, Papua New Guinea wishes to place on record that though we are a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, we disassociate ourselves from the NAM statement delivered by the delegation of Uganda as the chair of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement and the associated co-sponsorship of today's proceedings. We do so because elements contained therein are inconsistent with our national position on the issues raised in the statement and co-sponsorship of this meeting. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Papua New Guinea. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Lesotho.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Lesotho aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Republic of Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement at the opening of this session. There is no doubt that the ongoing war in Gaza is one of the most disturbing humanitarian crises recorded in the 21st century. This situation has consequently spawned rippling effects across the region. Despite several calls by the international community for an immediate ceasefire, the war continues unabated. The undue suffering that this conflict has inflicted on women, children, and other vulnerable groups is a total breach of international law and a direct contravention of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. As a result, we call for an immediate end to this conflict. My delegation is gravely concerned with the challenges facing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA. While it is our collective effort to resolve the Palestinian plight, there is no justification to restricting UNRWA to fulfill its mandate. Such acts, sadly, will collapse the agency and exacerbate further the already daunting humanitarian crisis in Gaza and other Palestinian occupied territories. UNRWA is a lifeline for Palestinian refugees. Any attempts to stifle it from performing its duties will concomitantly lead to a deprivation of essential services, food, education, medical supplies to the children of Gaza, in direct contravention of the commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, among other international instruments. We will recall that in December 2023, this august body adopted a resolution calling for an immediate and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a total cessation of hostilities by the protagonists. Furthermore, the General Assembly demanded the unhindered provision of essential aid to civilians in Gaza. However, it is worrisome that today as we speak, the situation in Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories has become even more catastrophic, particularly with the current challenges faced by UNRWA. We deplore this situation by recalling that the Security Council adopted its landmark resolution 2417 in 2018, strongly condemning the use of food insecurity and starvation as a weapon of war. In closing, Mr. President, The Souto Accord is a call by the UN Secretary-General to all parties involved in the Palestinian conflict to choose peace over war. We call on all the belligerents to lay down their arms and engage in genuine dialogue. On the other hand, we applaud countries that have to date spared no effort towards finding a mediated solution to this conflict. We continue to call for sustained engagements towards finding a lasting solution which respects the rights and concerns of both parties. My country continues to advocate for a two-state solution, which will pave the way for the Israelis and Palestinians to coexist peacefully in line with UN resolutions. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Lesotho. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of China.

President, today we're meeting in this hall for the emergency special session of the General Assembly. This is because the U.S. has once again single-handedly exercised its veto, paralyzing the Security Council and preventing it from taking the necessary actions to promote a ceasefire in Gaza. On the question of Palestine, the No vote cast by the U.S. is an abuse of use of veto. There is no justification whatsoever. To ameliorate the detrimental effects of the veto, Indonesia and other countries have submitted two draft resolutions. One demands an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the removal of obstacles to humanitarian access, and the other calls on Israel to rescind the legislation against UNRWA so as to guarantee its normal functioning. It also appeals to the international community to scale up its support to the agency. The two draft resolutions speak volumes to the call for justice by the international community. China will vote in favor of the two draft resolutions. The conflict has dragged on for 14 months. Gaza has been reduced to rubble and ruin. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed. The survivors, deprived of the most basic necessities, are struggling in despair. This is a disaster of unprecedented scale. We watched the indiscriminate bombing and disregard for civilian life reach appalling proportions. We witnessed a certain country's unscrupulous moves to condone and shield its ally. We have noticed the selective application of the international law and the use of double standards, the likes of which we have never seen before. One cannot help but wonder, Have the rules and systems established by the UN over its 80 years of existence have become completely irrelevant and useless? Is the world going back to the age where the law of the jungle rule the day? Our answer is this, the world cannot go back to the age of the jungle, nor should the law of the jungle become the new normal. We must push for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. A ceasefire is a prerequisite for saving lives and restoring peace. Linking the ceasefire to other issues, Or even conversely, setting preconditions for a ceasefire, in fact, is tantamount to greenlighting the continuation of war and condoning the continuation of killing. We must uphold the authority of international law. There must be no exceptions in fulfilling obligations under international law. Israel, as the occupying power, must assume its obligations under the IHL and effectively remove all impediments to international, to humanitarian access, ensuring the orderly distribution of goods throughout Gaza and guarantee the safety and security of the humanitarian agencies and their personnel. Inter alia, we need to support the, and guarantee the normal functioning of UNRWA. The agency is a source of support for millions of Palestinian refugees in the region. More importantly, for the people of Gaza, it is a lifeline that has no substitute. We urge Israel to cease its suppression and restriction imposed on humanitarian organizations such as UNRWA. We call on traditional donor countries to continue with their support to UNRWA and refrain from participating in the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. We must revitalize the two-state solution with the utmost urgency, that the two states living side by side and sharing security and development is the only way to achieve peace for Palestine and Israel. The international community should bolster support and provide assurance for the realization of the two-state solution. At present, it is necessary to help the Palestinians to strengthen their governance capacity and support them in reaching agreement on the future arrangement for Gaza through internal consultations. At the same time, it is important to be vigilant and reject any unilateral moves that erode the foundation of the two-state solution, including further expansion of settlements in the West Bank, and attempts to annex the West Bank. China supports the state of Palestine in becoming a full member of the UN. We support the holding of a larger scale, more authoritative, and more effective international peace conference to formulate a timetable and roadmap for the implementation of the two-state solution. China will continue to make unremitting efforts towards an early end to the fighting, restoration of peace in the region and realization of comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine. Thank you, President.

I thank the distinguished representative of China. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Finland.

Mr President, Finland is deeply concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. The destruction is massive and the horrific civilian death toll is further increasing. The entire Palestinian population in northern Gaza is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence. The disregard for human life must stop. Finland reiterates its strongest condemnation of the brutal attacks committed by Hamas and other terrorist groups in October last year and taking of hostages in October. But we have consistently underlined that when exercising the right to self defence, international and humanitarian law apply fully. Israel must comply with its obligations under international law in all circumstances. An immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire is needed urgently, and all remaining hostages must be immediately and unconditionally released. All parties must fully comply with international law, including international humanitarian law. UNRWA remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza. All parties must enable the agency to carry out its mandate as adopted by the General Assembly and its vital services to the civilians in all occupied territories. According to international humanitarian law, All parties to a conflict must allow and facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance to affected populations. Israel, as the occupying power, has the duty to ensure that the basic needs of the occupied population are met. We call on Israel to enable full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access across the Gaza Strip. Finland's support to rules-based multilateralism with the UN at its core is unwavering. Upholding international law is a shared responsibility of all states. In the midst of an ongoing catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, a halt to any of the activities of UNRWA would have devastating consequences for the hundreds of thousands of civilians served by it. We urge Israel to ensure that UNRWA is allowed to carry out its crucial work in line with its mandate adopted by the UN General Assembly. Mr President, all permanent members of the Security Council bear a special responsibility to exercise their veto in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Charter. On 20 November, a permanent member of the Council, the United States, used a veto against the resolution calling for a ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza. The General Assembly may discuss any questions relating to the maintenance of international peace and security brought before it by any member of the United Nations. As the Security Council failed again in acting on a situation urgently threatening international peace and security, the General Assembly must act. The situation in Gaza is too dire for the UN to remain silent. Palestinian civilians have borne the brunt of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza for over a year. Their suffering must stop. We, as the international community, must bear our responsibility in urging and assisting the parties to end this conflict and set up a credible process towards a negotiated two state solution, which is the only way to bring lasting peace and security to the Middle East. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Finland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Canada.

Thank you, President. Canada's position on issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is always guided by our commitment to a framework that best guarantees peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians. It is also guided by our collective obligations to respect international law. We deplore the loss of innocent lives in this conflict and we recognize the direct impact that this situation is still having on countries in the region and elsewhere. All peoples, all countries have been profoundly traumatized by this terrible year of pain, of loss and suffering. We must all be aware of the measures that are needed to establish lasting peace. Canada will today vote in favour of these two resolutions because of the urgent and growing need to resolve this crisis. Canada's votes today underscore our appeals for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, and it is also reaffirmation of our support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agencies for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA. We do not agree with some of the elements included in this resolution. We continue to believe that these resolutions should condemn the horrific terror attacks carried out by Hamas, including on the 7th of October, and Hamas' use of human shields. We would also have liked to see more focus placed on the need for parties to the conflict to negotiate in a significant way on an immediate ceasefire. Canada condemns unequivocally the terrorist attacks carried out against Israel by Hamas on the 7th of October 2023 and the acts of terror that continue. We continue to demand that Hamas put down their weapons to stop using recourse to violence and to immediately release all hostages and the remains of deceased hostages, including the remains of Canadian citizen Judith Weinstein. We are satisfied to see included in the resolution on the ceasefire a call for the release of hostages, and their detention can in no way be continued.

Mr President, we see and feel the terrible damage that is taking place in Gaza, the loss of life, the numbers of those injured. We know that the humanitarian situation is horrific, and it continues to worsen. We mourn all civilians killed since October 7th. The scale of civilian casualties is truly heartbreaking. It is also unacceptable, as all actors must comply with international law. Attacks on humanitarian delivery of food and necessary supplies must also stop. And we need to take note of the serious peace and security situation itself within Gaza when it comes to the delivery of humanitarian services. We have concluded that UNRWA's role in responding to this crisis is crucial. Canada reaffirms its commitment to UNRWA, and we have also recommitted our funding, as have condemned the legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset on October the 28th, which we continue to regret. because we believe that it threatens to prevent UNRWA's vital work in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem without ensuring a credible and practical alternative. We continue to press Israel not to implement this legislation, to enable the continuation of UNRWA's activities in education, health services, and to work constructively to enable its crucial role in the delivery of humanitarian assistance. UNRWA's efforts to address allegations against its staff and its willingness to pursue and implement reform of internal processes in line with the independent review of April 2024 led by Catherine Colonna on UNRWA neutrality, these efforts must continue. We call on UNRWA to continue its path of reform as a priority, demonstrating its commitment to the principle of neutrality, and ensure that its activities remain entirely in line with its humanitarian mandate. Canada will continue to actively monitor and support this process of reform and implementation of the Kelowna recommendations. We would ask that anyone, and any country, with additional information or evidence, share this in an open and transparent manner so that it can be dealt with in a proper fashion. Let us be clear that Canada remains opposed to the disproportionate singling out of Israel alone for criticism. We reiterate the importance of a fair-minded approach at the United Nations, and we will not support resolutions that do not, that fail to address the complexities of these issues. The Assembly's work in recent months on the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a reminder to all of us that in line with the Charter, discussion of such complex issues is not, in fact, reserved entirely for the Security Council. There are options to enable a broader discussion, particularly when the Council cannot act. As President of ECOSOC, I convened a discussion on Haiti just last month to bring attention to the deteriorating situation there, and I hope that this Assembly will find a way to address crucial issues where we find that the Council is stuck, and stuck it surely is, including on Myanmar, Ukraine, Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, and many other areas of conflict. As we head into the new year, this Assembly must assume its own responsibilities. Canada remains committed to the two-state solution. We believe that a political solution is absolutely essential in order to get to the roots of this conflict and, in fact, to resolve it. We believe that at a time when the dynamics in the broader region show that conflict management, as opposed to conflict resolution, is not a sustainable path to returning the region to a peaceful and prosperous trajectory, we must all do more within our powers, within our capabilities and capacities to listen to each other, to understand that there is no hierarchy in suffering, to demonstrate a capacity to show empathy for all those who have suffered and all those who are suffering. to push hard for the principle of accountability under the rule of law, and to do everything we can in our capacity to resolve this terrible conflict. Thank you very much, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Canada. We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item five. The Assembly will resume its consideration of agenda item five entitled Illegal Israeli Actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the Rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory to take action on two draft resolutions, issued as documents A/ES-10/L.32 and A/ES-10/L.33. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ireland to introduce draft resolution A/ES-10/L.32.

President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it is an honor for Ireland to introduce the draft resolution entitled Support for the Mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, as contained in document L-32, which has been submitted to the General Assembly for adoption in this resumed 10th Emergency Special Session. At the outset, I want to thank all the 50 plus member states who have co-sponsored this resolution. We, the co-sponsors, present this draft resolution at a time of profound challenge to the continuity of UNRWA's operations and its lifesaving assistance to millions of Palestine refugees, as well as to an important contribution to regional stability. We present this draft in the context of shocking developments in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and especially in the Gaza Strip over the past 14 months. Our action comes in the wake of appeals for decisive intervention by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazarrini. Earlier this week, the Secretary-General circulated a letter on enabling UNRWA to carry out its activities. This followed an extraordinary letter in October to the President of the General Assembly, in which Commissioner-General Lazarrini warned that the agency was under such physical, political, and operational attack, unprecedented in the UN's history, that implementation of its mandate may become impossible without decisive action by this General Assembly. President, this draft resolution is the co-sponsor's response. We appeal to all states and members of the General Assembly to act with urgency and resolve to confirm your support for UNRWA's mandate. This is essential to avoid any interruption or suspension of UNRWA's vital humanitarian and development programmes, including education for hundreds of thousands of children. President, over the past 14 months, UNRWA has faced repeated attacks from Israel. It has been subject to attempts by the Israeli government to dismantle the agency and evict it from its premises in occupied East Jerusalem through the adoption of legislation by the Israeli Knesset. It has faced military attacks on its personnel and facilities and has been a target of a dangerous campaign of misinformation and disinformation. Commissioner General Nazzareni warned in stark terms that the risk of the agency's collapse threatens the lives and the futures of individuals and communities, the stability of the region and the integrity of our multilateral system. We recall too that earlier this month, the Interagency Standing Committee, the highest level humanitarian coordination forum, called for a halt to the assault on Palestinians in Gaza and on those trying to help them. The committee warned of the disastrous impact of Israel's legislation against UNRWA, stating that if implemented, such measures would be a catastrophe for the humanitarian response in Gaza, would be diametrically opposed to the UN charter, and would have potentially dire impacts on the human rights of the millions of Palestinians depending on UNRWA's assistance, in violation of Israel's obligations under international law. They further aligned that there is no alternative, no alternative to UNRWA. We echo their urgent warnings today. We underscore UNRWA's essential and irreplaceable role as unequivocally reaffirmed in the shared commitments on UNRWA launched in July of this year. UNRWA's mandate is an integral part of the UN's longstanding responsibility on the question of Palestine. It will remain so until a just solution is found, including for the plight of the Palestine refugees in line with Resolution 1943. It must be given the necessary political and financial support, including sustained and predictable funding, to ensure the continuity of its operations in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, without interruption or impediment in accordance with the mandate conferred by this Assembly. We call on Israel not to implement the recent legislation against UNRWA and to cease all attempts to interfere, obstruct, undermine, dismantle, or spread misinformation or disinformation about the agency. Israel must respect the agency's privileges and immunities as a UN entity, and it must fulfill its international legal obligations, including under international humanitarian law. President, we pay tribute to UNRWA's staff for their dedicated service even in the most dire conditions and at great personal danger to their own lives. We express our condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the 252 UNRWA staff members tragically killed over the past year in the occupied Palestinian territory, the overwhelming majority in Gaza. This is the highest number of casualties suffered by humanitarians and by the UN in any conflict since the organization's establishment, and we stress the imperative of ensuring accountability. We commend UNRWA's Commissioner General for his leadership and his staff for their tireless efforts to deliver on UNRWA's mandate and their commitment to uphold the humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence, impartiality, and humanity, and to fully implement the recommendations of the Kholana report. The General Assembly must act swiftly to safeguard the mandate of UNRWA to ensure the well-being, development, and protection of Palestine refugees in all five fields of operation, and to sustain its long-term investment in peace, pending the achievement of a just solution, including for the plight of the Palestine refugees. We must redouble our efforts to support the agency and to prevent any further obstruction of its indispensable and lifesaving assistance in the face of the catastrophic situation in Gaza. The refugee population has suffered repeated dispossession, displacement, and trauma for decades. UNRWA is indispensable to civilians facing military attack, hunger, disease, poverty, loss of learning and livelihoods, denial of humanitarian access, mass forced displacement and mass destruction of civilian infrastructure. It simply must be protected. We must act swiftly to ensure the protection of the Palestinian civilian population including by ensuring the provision of immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access at scale throughout Gaza, with UNRWA playing its indispensable humanitarian role and serving as the backbone of the UN humanitarian delivery system. We must act now in line with our collective obligations under international law, including humanitarian and human rights law, to preserve UNRWA, a lifeline for the well-being, sustenance, hope, and dignity of millions of refugees and displaced civilians. We must also make every effort to make a just and peaceful resolution of the Palestine question in all its aspects a reality, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions. In closing, President, on behalf of the co-sponsors, Ireland calls on all states and members of the General Assembly to vote in favor of the draft resolution contained in document L32. We express our deep appreciation in advance to all delegations upholding their international legal obligations and rising to the historic responsibility we must all bear at this time of grave, grave crisis. I thank you, President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ireland. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia to introduce draft resolution A/ES-10/L.33.

Mr. President, Indonesia is honored to introduce draft resolution L-33 entitled, "Demand for Ceasefire in Gaza," in this resumed 10th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly. This resolution presented amid an unprecedented and devastating crisis on the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and particularly in the Gaza Strip. This draft resolution underscores the high urgency, absolute necessity for the General Assembly to act now, once again, to demand a ceasefire. We should not let the international community to fail again to act swiftly and responsibly.

Over the past 14 months,

Gaza continues to be under relentless siege and military assault by Israel, without conditions, described as appalling and apocalyptic. We must prevent further catastrophic loss of life and destruction. Mr. President, one year ago, in this Assembly, following the veto of a permanent member of the Security Council, 153 countries supported GA resolution ES10/22 demanding a pause, an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, compliance by all parties

to their international legal obligation, especially protection of civilians, as well as the release of all hostages.

Unfortunately, that resolution was not followed through.

We must thus ask ourselves how many lives could have been saved, how much suffering avoided,

and how much destruction prevented

if the demands for a ceasefire had been respected, if Israel respected international law, its charter obligation, and listened to the clear voice of conscience of the international

community instead of persisting with its crime, if accountability had been enforced and veto not used to shield these actions.

It is time to change the trajectory to save two million children, women, and men in Gaza, alleviate the suffering,

and provide them with immediate assistance, relief, and hope. Accountability and justice must be pursued, and a path towards peace must be chartered. This must begin with a ceasefire to stop violence and protect innocent civilians from further harm, including by immediate actions in accordance with ICJ provisional measures. Mr. President, today as the casualty has tragically surpassed 150,000 Palestinians, 70 percent of whom are children and women, and with over 1.9 million Gazans displaced

under inhumane conditions, deprived of essentials of life,

we return to this General Assembly with an urgent appeal for collective action.

We cannot remain silent in the face of this situation.

We must uphold our legal, political, humanitarian, and moral obligation. I repeat, our moral obligation. In the face of yet another veto and the Security Council's inability to implement its own resolutions, including resolutions 2735, the General Assembly must act to fulfill its charter duties. Let us urgently and collectively act to establish an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, to silence the gun, to stop the bloodshed, and protect the Palestinian civilian population under Israel's illegal occupation from further harm and to alleviate their dramatic suffering. Mr. President, There is no other way to end this carnage, to save human life. We need an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire.

We need accountability for all grave breaches of international law, including humanitarian and human rights law, perpetrated by Israel, for

all the war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocides committed. We must end the suffering.

We must begin the path to recovery and swiftly pursue.

Political solution to achieve long overdue justice and freedom for the Palestinian people.

Indonesia thank the 47 co-sponsors of this resolution.

On behalf of the co-sponsors and in the name of justice and humanity, Indonesia urges all member states to support draft resolution L33. Let us act collectively to honour our shared responsibility, uphold international law in this critical moment. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia. We shall now proceed to consider draft resolutions A/ES-10/L.32 and A/ES-10/L.33. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

Thank you, Mr. President. The present statement concerning draft resolution L.33 is made in the context of rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. The present statement has been also distributed to Member States. Under the terms of OP 7, 9, and 10, the General Assembly urged, stressed the need for accountability and requested the Secretary-General in this regard to present in the written assessment regarding the implementation of the present resolution and in coordination with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, proposals on how the United Nations could help advance accountability through existing mechanisms. and through the establishment of new mechanisms based on its experience in other situations. Request a written assessment from the Secretary General on the implementation of this resolution within three weeks of its adoption and further request the Secretary General to submit a comprehensive written report within 60 days of the adoption of this resolution, which should include a a needs assessment for Gaza in the short, medium and long term, an elaboration of the humanitarian, social and economic consequences of the conflict in Gaza, and an overview of the work of different parts of the United Nations system relevant to Gaza, along with recommendations on how to strengthen coordination across these parts. The request contained in OP 7, 9 and 10 of the draft resolution would entail two pre-session documents with a total word count of 13,000 words in all six official languages in 2025. This would constitute an addition to the documentation workload for the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management in 2025 and The related non-recurring resources requirements are estimated at $37,500. However, the department will make every effort to implement the request within its existing capacities. Accordingly, should the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A/ES/10/L.33, No additional requirements would arise under the programme budget for 2025. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of the Secretariat for your information. The draft resolutions have closed for e-sponsorship. I now give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

Thank you, Mr. President. I will address additional co-sponsors for both L32 and L33. First, L32. Since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to the delegations listed on the L document, the following countries have also become co-sponsors of L32. Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Guyana, Honduras, Iraq, Ireland, Libya, Luxembourg, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Yemen. If any other countries wish to co-sponsor L.32, please signify by pressing the microphone button now. I see Gambia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Nigeria, Somalia, although Somalia's name was already read out as an additional co-sponsor, United Republic of Tanzania, Now to move to L33. Since the submission of the draft resolution and in addition to the delegations listed on the L document, the following countries have also become co-sponsors of L33. Bahrain, Belize, Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Djibouti, Guyana, Honduras, Ireland, Libya, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Yemen. If any other countries wish to co-sponsor L.33, please signify by pressing the microphone button now. I see Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, United Republic of Tanzania, Thank you, Mr. President. This concludes additional co-sponsorship.

I thank the representative of the Secretariat. Delegations wishing to make a statement in the explanation of vote before the vote on any proposal under this item are invited to do so now in one intervention. After action on all of them, there will be an opportunity for explanations of vote after the vote on any or all of them. Before giving the floor for explanations of vote before the vote, may I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to ten minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. I give the floor to Israel.

Thank you, Mr. President. The resolutions before the Assembly today are beyond logic. They defy all concepts of morality and the evidence we have laid before you for years. By voting for these resolutions, you are not voting to protect humanitarian values, but to protect an organization that has become a haven for terror. You vote for the resolutions knowing the truth. knowing that UNRWA is not a neutral actor but an entity hopelessly infiltrated by Hamas knowing that its facilities have been used to store weapons its schools to indoctrinate children with hatred and its staff to aid and act as terrorists the vote today is not a vote for compassion it is a vote for complicity. As if this betrayal is not enough, you pushed for a resolution that failed to even condition a ceasefire on the release of the 100 hostages still held by Hamas. By demanding a ceasefire today without addressing the hostages, this assembly will once again side with those who weaponize human suffering it will send a message that the lives of innocent Israelis including children are not worth your consideration this is not diplomacy it is appeasement it is enabling Terror and abandoning the innocent today I sit here with evidence in hand letters upon letters that Israel has written to UNRWA over the years each one a warning each one a clear call to action and yet nothing was done Commissioner General Lazzerini complains of reputational damage of so-called disinformation campaign against UNRWA by Israel. I would like to ask Mr. Lazzarini, where were your complaints when Hamas built tunnels under your schools? Where was your outrage when murderers you employed used those schools as terror bases? Where was your accountability when we sent you these letters exposing terrorists on your payroll. In my hand is a letter written in November 2003, 21 years ago, in which we warned about terrorists hiding, meeting, and even training in UNRWA facilities. UNRWA did not act. In 2011, 13 years ago, we warned UNRWA about Hamas operatives working in UNRWA schools. We even provided the names and IDs of 10 Hamas terrorists employed by UNRWA. Nothing was done. In fact, the last name on this list, Najeeh Salam Abu Aziz, was an UNRWA principal, believe it or not. Of course, no action was taken against him. In the meantime, this year, he allowed his school to be used as a launch pad for anti-tank missiles by his fellow Hamas terrorists. In 2017, a Hamas tunnel was discovered beneath an UNRWA school led by a principal who publicly pledged allegiance to Hamas. you again remained silent. Just this July, we provided the names of over 100 UNRWA employees who were members of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Again, nothing was done. These are only a few examples out of many over the decades. UNRWA's inaction speaks volumes. They did not act when we presented evidence. They did not act when Hamas turned schools into ammunition stores. They did not act when the lives of innocent Israelis were at stake. Now, the New York Times has recently confirmed what we have long known, and I urge you all to read this article in the New York Times. Hamas has infiltrated UNRWA at every level. It is simply a documented fact. To Hamas, UNRWA schools are, and I quote from Hamas's own documents, they call it the best obstacles to shield their terror operations. Gazan residents themselves have admitted to the New York Times that it is a quote, open secret that Hamas operatives work in UNRWA schools, some even carrying Kalashnikovs after class instead of textbooks. Yet this assembly rewards such complicity with continued funding and unwavering support. And now it seeks to demand a ceasefire without conditioning the release of the hostages still suffering in Hamas's dungeons. You will have abandoned them. You will have ignored their families. You will have emboldened their captures. To stand by UNRWA today is to stand by Hamas. The same Hamas that orchestrated the October 7 massacre, that butchered over 1,200 innocent people and that still holds 100 hostages. To demand a ceasefire while ignoring these hostages is to surrender to terror. Distinguished colleagues, a future for Gaza must be one without Hamas, but it must also be one without UNRWA. Without its complicity, aid could flow freely, schools could teach peace instead of hatred, and the people of Gaza could finally begin to rebuild. This Assembly has a choice today, to confront terror and its enablers or to appease them. If you choose to stand by UNRWA and abandon the hostages, you will have chosen appeasement. History will not forget this choice, and neither will we. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank Israel. I give the floor to Paraguay.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. the delegation of paraguay is grateful for the opportunity to be able to take the floor to explain our vote before the vote on draft resolution aes ten l thirty two and l thirty three. Mr. President, dear colleagues, Paraguay has renounced war and we think it is beyond international law. Our country has also had its own experience of atrocities of armed conflicts and our population knows the suffering that that brings with it. That is why we advocate for peace and understanding between nations, we promote tolerance and we reaffirm that the path to understanding is always dialogue. Mr. President, the path towards lasting peace and compliance with international humanitarian law means addressing the needs and demands of all parties affected and taking into account all points of view. Otherwise, we will only be postponing a sustainable solution with everyone suffering. The fact that the proponents continue to include different measures to those that will bring about a ceasefire the final goal of resolution l three hundred and thirty three and also insisting on condemning only one of the parties in the text means that this has not reached greater support. We really want a peaceful solution to the situation that will support Israelis and Palestinians and find a balance in the situation. But the text, we feel, do not provide that balance. We cannot support them. Thank you.

I thank Paraguay. I give the floor to the Marshall Islands.

Thank you, Mr. President. Regarding statement and explanation of UNGA draft resolution 33, L33, titled Demand for Ceasefire in Gaza.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Welcomes the recent ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and mediating countries and urges all parties to abide by its terms. Yet other areas of instability, violence, and repression and humanitarian crisis persist in Gaza and nearby. The fate of hostages remain unresolved.

The underlining initial violence and brutal horror of Hamas's October 7 massacre must be condemned and acknowledged, and the perpetrators and collaborators brought to justice.

However, this cannot be the retributive justification.

For the further loss of tens of thousands of civilian lives and a humanitarian crisis. Ending civilian suffering and further loss of life in Gaza broadly requires an urgent ceasefire, unconditional release of hostages, addressing and accounting for the remains of dead hostages, and humanitarian assistance at scale, all elements put together before the UN Security Council. And most urgently, we remain nearly adrift, unclear on where, when, and what the intended endpoint is to this conflict and humanitarian crisis without achieving the above. We do not doubt the strongest efforts of many nations involved in working towards peace and ceasefire, and yet here we are again. The Security Council is failing between its permanent five memberships. And while a small nation might not alone be able to restructure or unravel that body, we will not hesitate to be vocal about the wrongs where they persist. We want to be among the optimists that an international peace process now remains before us. A two-state solution with clear steps to lasting peace would, by logic and definition, include addressing a Palestinian state. But working through such a process towards a real and lasting peace would require political will, leadership, mandate, and active dialogue from everyone at the table, and demand a very dramatic reversal from where we all are today. Otherwise, the same words will only be read over again, and an opportunity for change, for peace, and for change.

Would be missed.

This institution, in the ideals deep within the charter, is capable of far more and was intended for far more.

Regarding resolution 32.

On the UN Works Relief Agency, the Marshall Islands is concerned regarding the Israeli Knesset severance of the UNRWA relationship. Whatever the challenges or reform needs of UNRWA, there is also an urgent humanitarian crisis, one which has worsened since the start of the conflict. It is important that UNRWA functions as an objective UN entity and that there would be due accountability and appropriate management reform be addressed. However, the need for improvement is no justification for failing to address urgent humanitarian issues through any and all elective channels. I thank you.

I thank the Marshall Islands. We have heard the last speaker an explanation of vote before the vote. Before proceeding further, I wish to address the question concerning the majority required for the adoption of the draft resolutions. In light of article 18, paragraph 2 and 3 of the Charter of the United Nations, is there any objection to taking action on draft resolutions A/ES/10/L/32 and A/ES/10/L/33? by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. I see no objection. A two-thirds majority of members present and voting is therefore required for the adoption of draft resolution A/ES-10/L.32 and A/ES-10/L.33. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/ES-10/L.32 entitled "Support for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East". A recorded vote has been requested. We shall now begin the voting process. Those in favour of draft resolution A/ES-10/L.32, please signify. Those against, abstentions.

The Assembly is now voting on draft resolution A/ES-10/L.32 entitled "Support for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East". Will all delegations confirm that the votes are accurately reflected on the screen? The voting has been completed. Please lock the machine.

The result of the vote is as follows: in favour 159, against 9, abstentions 11. Draft resolution A/ES-10/L.32 is adopted. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/ES-10/L.33 entitled Demand for ceasefire in Gaza. A recorded vote has been requested. We shall now begin the voting process. Those in favor of draft resolution A/ES/10/L/33, please signify. Those against, abstentions.

The Assembly is now voting on draft resolution A/ES/10/L/33 entitled, "Demand for Ceasefire in Gaza." Will all delegations confirm that the votes are accurately reflected on the screen? The voting has been completed. Please lock the machine.

The result of the vote is as follows: in favour 158, against 9, abstentions 13. The draft resolution A/ES/10/L.33 is adopted. Before giving the floor for explanations of vote after the vote, may I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. I give the floor to New Zealand.

President, New Zealand welcomes the adoption of today's resolutions and voted in support of the resolutions after careful consideration. The situation in Gaza remains untenable. An immediate ceasefire is urgently needed, and the remaining hostages must be unconditionally released. Palestinian civilians continue to pay the price of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. They deserve an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded access to humanitarian aid, and an end to the spiraling tensions. New Zealand has been clear from the outset that the protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement of international law. New Zealand welcomes international efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and calls on the parties to implement the provisions of Security Council Resolution 2735 regarding an immediate ceasefire. A negotiated political solution is needed to achieve lasting peace and security for Israel and Palestine. Diplomacy can work where there is a political will. The UN resolution reflects a view overwhelmingly shared by the international community that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic and that nothing should stand in the way of food, medical assistance, and shelter for those in need. This resolution also calls for parties to uphold UN mandates as set by UN member states. The role of UNRWA was defined and created by us as UN member states. New Zealand notes that UNRWA's mandate has been continuously extended since 1949. UNRWA's mandate to ensure the humanitarian and development needs of almost six million Palestinian refugees must be respected. The UN system must be allowed to execute the role the member states have given it. There is also work to be done on the part of UNRWA to strengthen its adherence to UN values and humanitarian principles, including neutrality. New Zealand is following closely UNRWA's implementation of Catherine Colonna's review recommendations and looks forward to the full implementation of those recommendations. New Zealand has made clear to UNRWA our expectations of the organisation. We have also made clear our expectation of the parties to the Israel-Hamas conflict, that is compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law. We are pleased this resolution puts on the record the importance of honouring and respecting UN mandates. Thank you, President.

I thank New Zealand. I give the floor to Japan.

Thank you, Mr. President. At the outset, let me extend our appreciation to Palestine for its initiative and flexibility during the negotiation of the two draft resolutions. I must say that neither of them is perfect. Important elements are missing, such as clear and strong condemnation of Hamas' brutal acts of terror and their continued hostage-taking in violation of international law. However, both of the resolutions represent a much-needed display of political will of the international community. The tragedy in Gaza is never-ending. Every passing day brings additional casualties of innocent civilians and increases the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis, including the hostages. The humanitarian situation, which is already described as apocalyptic, is getting worse as time goes by. Although it is too late to save those lives already lost, The need for immediate ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages, and the drastic expansion of humanitarian aid to Gaza remains crucial. These are the pillars of the ceasefire resolution and what Japan has consistently advocated for the Security Council. It is also essential now to preserve UNRWA. The agency is the backbone of humanitarian assistance to the more than two million desperate people of Gaza. The agency will also play a critical role to rebuild humanitarian human dignity of Palestinian refugees after a post ceasefire period. However, this indispensable organization is at the brink of collapse following the adoption of the two Knesset laws severely restricting the operation. Our concerted efforts to maintain the agency are urgently needed. This is the aim of this resolution and Japan fully shares this objective. At the same time, this resolution contains an important call for UNRWA to fully implement the recommendations of the Independent Review Group and Japan supports this aspect as well. Therefore, we voted in favour of the two draft resolutions. Having said that, today's Today's adoption is not the end goal, as nothing will change if the resolutions remain solely on paper. We have a collective responsibility to make sure that this Assembly's demands are addressed by the parties. For this purpose, we must not overlook the importance of a negotiated settlement between the parties. In this vein, Japan is encouraged by the reports on the resumption of ceasefire talks and the tireless efforts of the mediators. Finally, Japan is steadfastly committed to a lasting peace for both Israel and Palestine in the form of two-state solution, and will continue to make all possible diplomatic efforts to this end. Likewise, we will remain at the forefront of humanitarian assistance, to the most vulnerable and also stand ready to contribute to the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza. I thank you.

I thank Japan. I give the floor to Guatemala.

President, since 1947 Guatemala has maintained its firm conviction that peaceful coexistence between the Israeli people and the Palestinian people must be based on the preeminence of international law. As a state that has a solid pacifist vocation, we recognize the need to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, advocating that this be facilitated by the international community and that the United Nations sponsor a political process aimed at promoting a just and sustainable peace in the region, with the involvement of all parties concerned. This is only possible with a two-state solution which addresses the legitimate security concerns of Israel and allows for the building of a Palestinian state which would be politically and economically viable. We believe that the state of Palestine should coexist alongside Israel according to clearly defined borders that are secure, peaceful and internationally recognized in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations. However, whilst working on this desire for peace, Guatemala recognises the vital and singular work done by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in the Near East, which, under the mandate granted by this General Assembly, aims to guarantee access to education, health care, humanitarian assistance and social services to the refugees of Palestine. an organisation which, as was pointed out by its head recently, is the only pillar of life left standing for Palestinians, because without its work the humanitarian response of the United Nations would collapse. Mr. President, as we have said on various occasions, the veto of any draft resolution that calls for a ceasefire shows the paralysis of the Security Council, the highest organ charged with maintaining international peace and security. Once again, we advocate avoiding the exercise of the veto when dealing with preventing or stopping situations involving mass atrocities. Also, Guatemala highlights the need for the Security Council to adopt resolutions that take into account, in a balanced way, all elements that would allow for an immediate ceasefire and an end to hostilities and atrocities between the parties involved. the urgency of ensuring humanitarian assistance in Gaza and also the release of all hostages with the aim of protecting the human rights of the people affected. Guatemala reiterates that it is ready to support all efforts aimed at establishing a lasting peace in the region, anchored in mutual respect and full adherence to international law. It is for these reasons that Guatemala today has supported the two draft resolutions that were presented. Thank you very much.

I thank Guatemala. I give the floor to Australia.

Thank you, President. I will speak to both the resolutions we have considered today. Although Australia does not agree with everything in the resolution entitled Support for the Mandate of UNRWA, Our vote in favour reflects our view that UNRWA must be able to continue its lifesaving work. That is also why Australia has funded the organisation every year since 1951. UNRWA provides desperately needed services to civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories and across the region. As the Security Council has said, UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response to the catastrophic situation in Gaza. We join the Security Council in expressing grave concern over legislation adopted by the Israeli Knesset. Limiting UNRWA's operations will only exacerbate an already terrible humanitarian crisis. As stated in this resolution, UNRWA has a responsibility to address any credible allegations and to ensure accountability for any violations of the agency's principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. We acknowledge the commitment made by the United Nations Secretary-General and UNRWA to implement fully the recommendations of the independent review led by Catherine Colonna. We call for their accelerated implementation in line with UNRWA's commitment to the principle of neutrality. We note UNRWA's measures to terminate the employment of UNRWA staff members following the 7 October atrocities carried out by Hamas, atrocities that should have been unequivocally condemned by this resolution. Any involvement or affiliation with terrorist organisations cannot be tolerated. Australia will continue to press the United Nations and UNRWA to safeguard the organisation's neutrality. Australia reiterates calls for the protection of humanitarian and United Nations personnel, including UNRWA staff, to enable them to perform their lifesaving work. The best protection for humanitarian personnel and civilians is ceasefire. Australia will continue to support a strong and robust multilateral system, including the protection of United Nations agencies to do their critical work. In relation to the resolution entitled Demand for Ceasefire in Gaza, I wish to address certain reservations, but first I will outline why Australia voted in favour. First, Australia is committed to working with the international community to end this conflict, to stop the suffering, and immediately and unconditionally to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas. Tomorrow marks one year since Australia joined 152 other countries in voting for a ceasefire in this assembly. Further delay will only see more lives lost. Second, This resolution's demand for full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian assistance to Gaza has never been more necessary. The current situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering unbearable. In Israel's response to Hamas atrocities on October 7, more than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 13,000 children. Nearly all of Gaza's 2.1 million people have lost their homes, and do not have enough food, water, medicine or shelter. Third, along with the international community, Australia reiterates our call on all parties to comply fully with international law. Civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected. Israel must take urgent action to alleviate this humanitarian crisis in line with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice. Fourth, Australia supports this resolution's unwavering commitment to the vision of a two-state solution because it is the only way out of this terrible cycle of violence. Fifth, we support this resolution because of its call for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and the urgency of the current crisis. In terms of reservations, we support the United States proposal for an immediate ceasefire deal with the release of hostages as endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. Ceasefires have conditions that parties must agree. This reality should have been reflected in the resolution. The fact it has not is a shortcoming. Moreover, Australia remains unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas. This resolution should have done the same for their atrocities on 7 October that left 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 200 hostages taken, and all their acts of terror. Australia repeats our demand for Hamas to release all hostages immediately and unconditionally. Hamas must lay down their arms. There can be no role for terrorists in the future governance of Gaza. Finally, President, Australia continues to give careful consideration to the International Court of Justice's conclusions in its advisory opinion. Our vote is not determinative of Australia's position on all the conclusions in that opinion, including those recalled in this resolution. Thank you, President.

I thank Australia. I give the floor to Chechia.

Thank you, Mr. President. As we gather here today, the Middle East is engulfed in profound turmoil. My country, Czechia, is deeply troubled by the ongoing suffering endured by civilians in the region. We are deeply concerned about the critical situation of the civilian population in Gaza, who deserve to live in peace and dignity. We welcome any meaningful efforts to end the violence. Let me acknowledge that both resolutions adopted today contain a number of constructive elements that represent positive progress. We commend the efforts to find common ground and address the urgent challenges in the region. However, we must not overlook the horrific terrorist attacks of the 7th of October that plunged the region into this current cycle of conflict. Hamas terrorists unleashed a deadly rampage, brutally killing and maiming innocent civilians and taking hostages in a shocking display of barbarity. There can be no excuse or justification for such egregious acts, which have had fatal consequences for all people in the region. Once again, my government regrets that this esteemed assembly did not take a more forceful stance in condemning the actions of Hamas. Moreover, the resolution L33 fails to unequivocally link a durable ceasefire to the release of all the hostages. To omit this crucial linkage risks sending a dangerously misguided signal to Hamas that their reckless reign of terror may somehow be vindicated. We must not abandon the hostages and their families. It is due to this omission that the Czech Republic cannot support this resolution, and that is why we voted against it. Let us be clear Hamas too has a choice to make. They could immediately release the hostages They could cease using civilians as human shields and stop exploiting civilian infrastructure to launch terrorist attacks. It is Hamas terrorists who have imperiled millions of Palestinian civilians. Mr. President, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical juncture. The population is in dire need of food, water, medical supplies, and other essential items. While we fully support urgent calls to step up the delivery of vital humanitarian aid, we must also acknowledge and rectify certain operational shortcomings within UNRWA. We must make every effort to ensure beyond any shadow of a doubt that Hamas and other terrorist groups cannot exploit the existing system for distributing critical assistance. Equally important is guaranteeing strict neutrality, accountability and oversight in all aspects of UNRWA's operations. In this respect, we continue to closely monitor and evaluate the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Review Group. The resolution L32 in our assessment does not sufficiently address these pressing concerns. Therefore, we have decided to abstain from voting on this resolution. Distinguished colleagues, I would like to conclude by emphasising that re establishing a political horizon for a two state solution remains of paramount importance. A negotiated settlement remains the single path to guaranteeing security, political stability and democratic development for both Israel and Palestine. We encourage regional actors to pursue a course of cooperation, including through the Abraham Accords, to build a brighter future for the Middle East. Rather than introducing new initiatives here in New York, we need positive developments on the ground in the region itself. I thank you.

I thank Chekya. I give the floor to Hungary.

Mr. President, we are here today to discuss the dire humanitarian situation and the demand for an end to the conflict in Gaza. We must not forget that the conflict that the General Assembly seeks to end by imposing an unconditional ceasefire was ignited by the horrendous and brutal acts of terrorism committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Any country would have the right and responsibility to ensure that such an attack could never happen again, as permitted under IHO it has been more than a year since the terrorist attacks that led to the escalation of the conflict which has caused the devastating humanitarian crisis on October 7th 2023 1,195 people were murdered in Israel a further 5,432 people have been injured and 251 have been taken hostage since then More than 43,000 people have been killed in Gaza, and many more have been injured. Hostages are still being held, and innumerable survivors are traumatized. The picture today is catastrophic, and we express our solidarity with Israeli and Palestinian innocent civilians caught in the conflict. There are no excuses left for Hamas to continue rejecting the ceasefire and put innocent Palestinian civilians at risk every day. It is high time for this conflict to end, for the hostages to be released, and for Palestinian civilians to begin rebuilding their lives. However, the fighting must end in a sustainable way. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is the only way to bring about a durable end to this conflict. But Hamas has failed to accept any agreement so far that would bring hostages home, ensure Israel's security, enable a surge in humanitarian relief to Palestinians, and set the stage for a political settlement which can provide a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike. All civilian life matters equally. We note with utmost concern the unacceptable number of civilian casualties, especially children, as well as the catastrophic levels of hunger and imminent risk of famine caused by the insufficient entry of aid into Gaza.

It is time for this conflict to end.

The only durable way to resolve this conflict is to establish a ceasefire that also guarantees the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza. These two urgent goals are inextricably linked. An unconditional ceasefire would mean that hostages would likely never return home. We once again call on Hamas and other terrorist groups within Gaza to release all remaining hostages immediately without precondition, cease hostilities, and spare all civilians from further suffering. We recall that there is still a Hungarian citizen being held hostage by the terrorists. Right now, the international community must focus on implementing the existing framework for resolving the conflict. Security Council Resolution 2735, which offers a glimmer of hope for the peaceful settlement of this conflict and gives diplomacy a chance. Hungary calls for the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2735 without delay and without conditions, which would lead to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, a significant and sustained increase in flow of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.

I thank Hungary. I give the floor to Germany.

Mr. President, Germany voted in favor of the two resolutions. We call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages. The unbearable suffering that followed the heinous terrorist attacks on 7th of October of last year must cease immediately for the sake of Palestinians in Gaza and the hostages and their families. A lasting peace in the region can only be achieved through a negotiated two-state solution. Only when Israel's security is ensured and Palestinians have their own state where they can live in dignity and safety will both peoples be able to live side by side in peace. Germany, alongside its partners, remains steadfast in its commitment to work towards this goal. Mr. President, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. We urgently need a humanitarian surge as winter starts. Israel must uphold its commitment to flood Gaza with aid and that access be guaranteed at all times. Germany is the second largest contributor of humanitarian aid to Gaza and together with our partners has consistently been and continues to be engaged in substantive financial and diplomatic humanitarian support to increase the flow of aid into Gaza in order to alleviate the unimaginable suffering of the Palestinians there. At this critical moment, UNRWA's role is essential. Germany remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting UNRWA and Palestinians in need in Gaza and across the region. UNRWA remains indispensable for delivering essential support to millions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza, East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and across the entire regions. Against this backdrop, Germany is gravely concerned about the adoption of two laws targeting UNRWA by the Knesset. UNRWA must, as well as other UN organizations and agencies, must be fully able to deliver humanitarian aid and assistance to save lives and ease the suffering. We urge the Israeli government to abide by its international obligations, respect the privileges and immunities of UNRWA, and live up to its responsibility to facilitate full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza. We commend UNRWA for taking steps to address allegations regarding individual employees support for terrorist organizations and to pursue and implement reforms of internal processes. We expect UNRWA to continue its path of reform, demonstrating its commitment to the principle of neutrality, treat allegations swiftly and as a matter of priority, and ensure that its activities remain entirely in line with its mandate. We will continue to actively monitor and support this process. Germany unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks carried out by Hamas and other terrorist groups on October 7, 2023, as well as the consistent attacks against Israel by these terrorist groups, and we call on the General Assembly to do the same. Germany remains committed to the security of Israel. Israel, like all states, has the right to defend itself against armed attacks by terrorists and extremists. At the same time, this right must be exercised in line with international humanitarian law, and accountability of all sides needs to be ensured. On accountability, we are in favor of strengthening the existing structures rather than creating new ones, which could result in duplication. Additional mechanisms could weaken rather than strengthen the pursuit of justice and peace. Mr. President, the entire region is undergoing historic changes. The ceasefire agreement in Lebanon offers hope. The abhorrent dictatorship in Syria has fallen. Let us work together now with determination and commitment to stop the suffering in Gaza, to liberate the hostages, and to lay the foundation for a more peaceful Middle East, a Middle East where Israelis, Palestinians, and all people in the region can live side by side in peace and security. Germany remains fully committed to this goal. I thank you.

I thank Germany. I give the floor to Bulgaria.

Thank you, Mr. President. I take the floor to deliver an explanation of vote on resolution L 32, support for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. For Gary is gravely alarmed by the catastrophic situation of civilians in Gaza and reiterates its call for an uninterrupted, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures. While recognizing UNRWA's important and indispensable role in providing humanitarian relief and essential services to Palestine refugees and acknowledging the steps taken towards greater accountability, we are of the view that the resolution does not sufficiently address the need for robust safeguards to reinforce neutrality, operational transparency, and impartiality in UNRWA's activities. For that reason, Bulgaria was not in a position to support it. Bulgaria underscores the importance of upholding the humanitarian principles, ensuring the neutrality and accountability of aid organisations and pursuing durable solutions that address both immediate needs and long term challenges. Thank you.

I thank Bulgaria. I give the floor to Belgium.

Mr. President, Belgium voted in favour of the two draft resolutions and we fully support the main elements contained therein an immediate ceasefire respected by all parties, the immediate unconditional release of all hostages, unhindered humanitarian access to civilians and, until there is a sustainable solution to the conflict, the essential implementation of UNRWA's mandate. Dear colleagues, we need to break with this dialogue of the deaf that we have been seeing and work towards a common solution. Break with the cycle of violence, break with the dehumanisation and hate speech. Diplomacy must return, as it was able to in Lebanon. This requires concessions on both sides. Nothing can justify the massacre of more than 40,000 civilians in Gaza and elsewhere. Only an immediate ceasefire can put a stop to the unacceptable suffering that is being inflicted on the people. Belgium urges parties to demonstrate goodwill so that these negotiations can finally lead somewhere. This horror must end. and nothing can justify the taking of civilian hostages. The hostages that have been detained since the 7th of October must be immediately and unconditionally released. Families must know the fate of their missing loved ones. This is also the case for those detained, particularly minors. The There should be a path that leads towards a two-state solution, two states, democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace within safe and recognized borders. This has been approved by the Security Council. It is now time to act, to prevent and condemn terrorism. Let's condemn in the strongest terms the barbaric terrorist acts perpetrated by Hamas on the 7th of October. The necessary conditions need to be created to promote peace and negotiations. Let us join the collective work of the Global Alliance to give life to a two-state solution. Finally, the negative trends need to be reversed. Let us work to implement the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the illegal nature of these settlements, and let us categorically reject the continuing expansionist policy carried out by Israel. We are very concerned by the rumours of annexation of Palestinian territories and the transfer of the administration of occupied territories towards civilian administration. Only a political path leads to peace and reconciliation. We expect a greater and stronger commitment to this end on the part of those involved. In absence of a political solution, UNRWA's indispensable work must continue. The disinformation campaign against it is unacceptable. Equally, the application, enforcement of laws adopted by the Knesset in violation of Israel's obligation under international law is a disastrous precedent for the multilateral system. Belgium welcomes the letter of the Secretary-General from the 9th of December on this topic and aligns itself with its content. Belgium never suspended its funding for the agency and has committed to it in the long term via a multi-year, three-year agreement. We invite the members, particularly those who have the means but have not yet contributed to the financing of UNRWA, to do the same and to honour their commitments. The effective implementation of the Colonna report is important too in order to improve UNRWA's neutrality. We commend the efforts already undertaken by the agency in this end. Further efforts are crucial with our collective support. Finally, Belgium supports the initiatives that guarantee accountability. International law and international humanitarian law cannot be applied selectively. because otherwise they would be weakened as a whole. Thank you very much.

I thank Belgium. I give the floor to the Republic of Korea.

Mr. President, last month, as one of the elected members of the Security Council, the Republic of Korea participated

in proposing a draft resolution to the Council demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire

in parallel with demanding an immediate and unconditional release of hostages. The Republic of Korea believes that in order to urgently save lives and alleviate the extreme suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire is not an option, but an imperative. Based on this belief, we co-pled the E10 draft resolution coordinated by Guyana last month. Additionally, We voted in favor of the draft resolution today, reiterating this demand for an immediate ceasefire. However, this does not mean that we forgot about the hostages still brutally held in Gaza. We must remember what happened on October 7th last year and how the current conflict in Gaza was brought about. Thus, we take note that the draft resolution today clearly reiterates the GA's demand for the release of all hostages.

Having said that, the Republic of Korea

would like to point out that the establishment of any new mechanisms for accountability should be scrupulously assessed within the context of the existing ones. This includes, but is not limited to, various committees, commission of inquiry, and courts with the jurisdictions over the occupied Palestine territory. The Republic of Korea also voted in favor of the resolution to support the mandate of UNRWA. We believe that the continued operation of UNRWA is crucial, not only to support the humanitarian efforts in Gaza, but also to provide millions of Palestinian refugees in the OPT and beyond with basic services, including education and healthcare. As such, we call on all key stakeholders, notably Israel, to seriously consider the possible consequences of suspending or obstructing the mandate of UNRWA, which may exacerbate the security in the region.

With regard to the resolution on UNRWA adopted today, the Republic of Korea would like to clarify our view

that this resolution does not include any new budgetary implications or financial commitments beyond the scope of

what has been previously discussed in the Fifth Committee and approved by the GA. The Republic of Korea, as one of the members of the Security Council, will constructively participate in all efforts to restore peace and stability in the Middle East. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the Republic of Korea. I give the floor to Austria.

Thank you, Mr. President. Austria voted in favor of draft resolution L-33 entitled Demand for a Ceasefire in Gaza and abstained on draft resolution L-32 entitled Support for the Mandate of UNRWA. Permit me to explain our reasoning. The barbaric terror attack of Hamas against Israel 14 months ago, which we condemned in the strongest possible terms, brought a new dimension of devastation to the region. Israelis are traumatized by the slaughter, torture, and sexual violence of October 7th of last year. Over 100 hostages are still held captive by Hamas terrorists, including an Austrian father of two. In Gaza, the civilian population is facing starvation and disease in which can only be described a humanitarian catastrophe. The destruction and devastation in Gaza has reached unacceptable levels with too many civilian lives lost already. International humanitarian law is non-negotiable. It applies all the time, everywhere. The protection of civilians is paramount. We therefore simply need an urgent ceasefire in Gaza to achieve the release of all remaining hostages and scale up the delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza. Draft resolution L33 on a ceasefire in Gaza links the demand for a ceasefire respected by all parties to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and also calls for the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2735 on a ceasefire and release of hostages, which we fully support. We also recognize and support the efforts by regional partners and the United States in this regard. For these reasons, we voted yes on draft resolution L.33. With a view to resolution L32 on UNRWA, Austria is deeply concerned about recent developments surrounding the agency, including the Israeli legislation adopted by the Knesset on 28 October, effectively halting the vital work of UNRWA in Gaza and the West Bank will not add to Israel's security and stability, but instead have long-lasting and probably devastating consequences for the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. At the same time, the agency must also continue on its path for reforms. We closely studied the report and findings of the independent review group chaired by former Foreign Minister Catherine Kolonna, set up after the allegations that UNRWA staff members were involved in Hamas terror attack on Israel last year. We welcome the commitment of the Secretary-General and the agency's leadership to fully implement these recommendations. And we welcome that the resolution adopted today clearly calls on UNOWA to fully implement the high-level action plan developed by the agency as a follow-up to the recommendations. We will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the action plan together with our international partners. Many of these elements are reflected in the draft resolution adopted today. However, we would have wished to see an even stronger focus on the need for reform of the organization. For the sake of its own credibility, the UN must simply be beyond reproach. Finally, the text does not address the misuse of UNRWA premises by Hamas and other terrorist groups for military purposes. For these reasons, Austria abstained on this resolution. Two short final points, colleagues. First, Austrian development cooperation continues to strive within the framework of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with partners such as UNRWA to improve the situation of the Palestinians. Since 7 October 2023, Austria has provided 53 million euros in humanitarian aid for the civilian population in Gaza and the conflict ridden region, including 3.4 million for UNRWA. As always, let me underline that Austria reconfirms its commitment to a negotiated two-state solution and to a viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel, with Gaza being an integral part of the future Palestinian state. Thank you.

I thank Austria. I give the floor to Switzerland.

Mr President, Switzerland voted in favour of the two resolutions. This is the expression of our great concern when faced with the suffering of civilians in the Middle East and the importance that Switzerland attaches to respect for international law and Switzerland's strong support for the central role of the UN for peace stability and humanitarian aid in the region. Conflict in the Middle East, particularly the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, requires our urgent action and also that of the Security Council. As an elected member of the Council, Switzerland has actively contributed to the draft resolution considered by the Council in November and voted in favour of it. We believe that no member of the Council should have voted against a draft like the one that was presented collectively by the ten elected members. Unfortunately, this is not the first veto since the acts of terror on the 7th of October that we strongly condemned. Switzerland has a long-standing commitment to a restricted use of the veto at the Security Council. We would also recall the code of conduct the Act Code of Conduct, which has supported more than two thirds of the members of this assembly so far. Despite this veto, we have a responsibility to continue to give our full attention to resolving this devastating conflict. Switzerland recalls that international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law, is binding on parties irrespective of Parties must respect their obligations in all circumstances. In addition, Switzerland shares the strong concern expressed by the General Assembly today regarding the law adopted by the Knesset against UNRWA on 28 October. These are largely incompatible with international law. UNRWA is the largest humanitarian actor in Gaza and provides vital services to more than two million people. Switzerland expects that Israel respect its obligations under international law, including the UN Charter and international humanitarian law. We would also recall that, as the occupying power, Israel has the duty to ensure that the essential needs of the people in the occupied Palestinian territory are met. UNRWA is subject to a large scepticism. in Switzerland following the reproaches of some of its workers allegedly participating in the Hamas attacks on the 7th of October. Hence, our support to the resolution on UNRWA reflects our call on UNRWA to continue its reform works and fully implement the recommendations from the Colonna report. Any allegation of violation of UNRWA's neutrality should be followed up on. and adequate measures should be taken. The effectiveness with which the challenges will be addressed will be determining, crucial for the future of the organisation. Regarding the appeal in the resolution to increase voluntary contributions to UNRWA, Switzerland would underscore that any decision on Swiss support is subject to the approval of our Parliament. President, in the face of so much suffering, words are beginning to fail us. What can we say except that we must act and defend together the values and founding principles of our international order? Humanity must prevail. What can we say other than that we know the solution? We repeat it, an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and the respect for international law, including the protection of civilians, and the safe, rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid starting immediately. We urgently need to revive the prospects for peace based on a two state solution so that Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace, security and dignity. It is high time to do exactly that. Thank you.

I thank Switzerland. I give the floor to Romania.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, Romania voted in favor of the two resolutions adopted earlier today, as my delegation is a strong believer in using all diplomatic resorts, including UN avenues, to achieve the long-standing political objective, two-state solution. This remains the only way for bringing just and lasting peace in the Middle East with the state of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable state of Palestine living side by side in peace and security and mutual recognition. However, Romania would have preferred a strong condemnation in the text of the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, which resulted not only in hundreds of dead Israeli civilians, but also hostages for whose lives we fear. We cannot but repeat the need for the hostages to be released immediately and unconditionally. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a low point that could not be imagined 15 months ago. We pay tribute to all UN agencies and member states, including my own, that contribute for the benefit of the civilians in Gaza. UNRWA remains a key instrument in responding to the needs of the Palestine refugees in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza. We welcome the measures taken to implement the recommendations of the Colonna report on UNRWA activities. This is the kind of scrutiny that needs to monitor the intended mandate given by this General Assembly to UNRWA in December 1949. I thank you, Mr President.

I thank Romania. I give the floor to Sweden.

Britain remains committed to a just and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the state of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable state of Palestine living side by side in peace and security and mutual recognition, with Jerusalem as a future capital of both states in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. Sweden shares the deep concern expressed over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the immense suffering of the civilian population. We reiterate our condemnation of the abhorrent terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October last year. All remaining hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. International law, including international humanitarian law, must be respected by all parties.

There is an urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in line with Security Council Resolution 2735. Sweden fully supports the diplomatic efforts to this end.

We are deeply concerned by the recent legislation on UNRWA adopted by Israel and urge Israeli authorities

to ensure continued humanitarian access to the many civilians who depend on UN services. We expect that UNRWA, like other UN agencies, is respected and protected in line with international obligations.

We reiterate that the legislation, if implemented, may violate Israel's obligations under international

law, including international humanitarian law, and the legally binding provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice.

We welcome the call on all parties to ensure respect for the principles of humanity, neutrality,

impartiality, and independence for the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Mr President, Sweden voted in favour of the resolution on ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the

resolution on support for the mandate of UNRWA today.

Nonetheless, Sweden would like to clarify its position related to the UNRWA resolution, notably operative paragraph seven and 31. The text of the resolution is in certain aspects more far-reaching than what has previously been agreed by this Assembly.

Sweden would have preferred a more balanced approach, highlighting the crucial role

of UNRWA, as well as the need for necessary measures to safeguard the UN's ability to find sustainable solutions to ensure the continued delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestine refugees. Finally, we would like to thank the UN humanitarian staff for their tireless work on the ground, often at the risk of their lives.

We deeply regret the deaths of UN humanitarian workers and express our heartfelt condolences to their families.

Thank you.

I thank Sweden. I give the floor to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Thank you, Mr. President. And I thank you for convening today's emergency special session. I have the honor to deliver this explanation of vote on the resolution on the demand for ceasefire in Gaza and the resolution on UNRWA on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Mr. President, it has been more than a year since the atrocious attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023. And to our grave concern, the prospects remain bleak. The conflict that unfolded after the attacks is still ongoing. The fate of many of the hostages is still uncertain, and the suffering of the people in Gaza is worsening every day. A year has passed, and still more than 100 people are held hostage, and for more than 400 days, their families have been living in the greatest fear for their loved ones. In this light, the Kingdom of the Netherlands reiterates and that the end of this horrific war must be linked to the release of these hostages. We call for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the unimpeded delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid to those in need. Concerns about UNRWA should be addressed and recommendations on the neutrality of UNRWA from the Colonna report need to be implemented. Nonetheless, restricting the work of UNRWA in a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs, will negatively impact the already worrying situation in the region and especially in Gaza. We urge Israel to carefully consider its international obligations and the impact on the ground before taking further action. The ban on UNRWA poses a concern for the ability to deliver humanitarian aid to people in need in Gaza. Therefore, the Netherlands supports most of what is stated in the resolution tabled here today on UNRWA. Nevertheless, at this moment, the continuity of humanitarian aid delivery is too reliant on the implementing capacity of one organisation. While supporting the mandate of UNRWA in providing basic services in the region and thereby contributing to stability, we therefore abstained from voting. The Netherlands will continue to provide humanitarian assistance through various channels, and we support efforts to further diversify the humanitarian landscape in Gaza to better guarantee that humanitarian aid can reach those in need. Today, we also reaffirm our longstanding commitment to pursuing accountability for international crimes and other violations of international law committed by any of the parties of the conflict. We strongly believe that pushing for justice promotes a shared sense of hope, commitment, and duty. The Kingdom of the Netherlands welcomes the request to the Secretary-General to present proposals on how the United Nations could help advance accountability and underlines the importance that existing and possible new mechanisms should reinforce and complement each other. The Kingdom of the Netherlands has therefore voted in favour of the resolution on the ceasefire in Gaza in front of us today and abstained on the UNRWA resolution. I thank you very much.

I thank the Kingdom of the Netherlands. I give the floor to Liechtenstein.

Mr. President, Liechtenstein has voted in favour of resolution ES 10/25 just adopted entitled Support for the Mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. We know that much of this text is similar to that of resolution 78/73 adopted last year with overwhelming support of the membership, including our own. We note furthermore that additions to the text reflect the vastly deteriorated situation in Gaza and the need to ensure the full implementation of the recommendations of the Colonna report, including through the necessary funding, which is essential for the effective continued operation of UNRWA with full respect for the principle of neutrality. Liechtenstein reiterates, as the Security Council has, and as this resolution does that UNRWA remains the backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza and that no organization can replace or substitute UNRWA's capacity and mandate to serve Palestine refugees and civilians in urgent need of life-saving humanitarian assistance. Our vote in favor of this resolution is a vote to support UNRWA's efforts to meet the needs of Palestinian civilians and to meet the high standards of governance that we expect from it. To this end, we also continue to support the statement of shared commitments on UNRWA proposed by Kuwait, Jordan, and Slovenia. I thank you.

I thank Liechtenstein. I give the floor to Iraq.

Mr. President, Iraq has voted in favor of Resolution A/ES10/L.33 as an expression of its firm position in support of the just Palestinian cause and the support of all international efforts that aim to put an end to the aggression and the systematic violations of the occupying powers. We call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and the facilitation of the access of humanitarian assistance. However, we must express our reservation on operative paragraph 8 of this resolution. as it runs counter to our national legislation and the principal position of Iraq on the Palestinian question. Iraq deems it necessary for the international community to take a step to halt the practices of the Israeli entity, which constitute a grave violation and of the principles of international law, the UN Charter, and the Geneva Convention related to international humanitarian law. Thank you, sir.

I thank Iraq. If you could just give us a few moments to clear this out. Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished observer of the observer state of Palestine on a point of order.

Thank you, Mr. President. Actually, it is not a point of order. It is a general statement after the end of the voting and explanation of votes. And if you allow me, I'd like to proceed.

Excellency, you may continue. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Mr. President, my delegation, the delegation of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, would like to express our gratitude and thanks to the overwhelming support and voting in favor of the two resolutions, the one demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire against our people in the occupied land of the state of Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip. And also the resolution defending UNRWA and on the basis of its mandate stemming from the General Assembly. What we need is an immediate ceasefire, unconditional, And what we need is UNRWA to be able to carry out the humanitarian assistance needed to our people in Gaza, including the northern part of Gaza. As I said, we are grateful and thankful to this overwhelming support. It's almost unanimous vote on these two resolutions. This reflect the resolve and the determination of the international community as we see it reflected in this very important chamber, the General Assembly, which is the highest authority in the UN system. And also we are grateful for the introduction of the two resolutions, the introduction by Ireland regarding the resolution on UNORWA and Indonesia regarding the resolution demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. And we agree with the articulation of the minister from Indonesia, my brother Tata, when he said had we implemented a resolution last December in which the number of casualties among the Palestinian people were in the vicinity of 20,000 and the number of casualties today is in the vicinity of 50,000 and of course the number of injuries tens of thousands more than a year ago we could have saved the lives of all those that because the United Nations, and more specifically, the Security Council and the abuse of the veto, dragged its feet not to allow the position of the international community then last December by 153 votes, and today by 158 votes, although the resolution of today is much more powerful and clearer and stronger than the resolution of a year ago. Of all these things, they give us a strong feeling of the position of the General Assembly knocking on the door of the Security Council and saying that it is high time for you to implement your resolutions and the feeling of the General Assembly and to do that through using Chapter 7 of the Charter of the United Nations. We will keep knocking on the doors. over the Security Council and the General Assembly until we see an immediate and unconditional ceasefire put in place and until we see humanitarian assistance seeing and being distributed at scale in all corners of the Gaza Strip and in this regard as many of you almost all of you who spoke and voted in favor indicated that UNRWA is indispensable, UNRWA cannot be replaced, and UNRWA is capable of carrying the position of the international community with regard of providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people everywhere. I don't want to keep you any longer. I know that we had a very long day in the morning and in the afternoon. and very, uh, strong, uh, statements of support by all those who participated in the debate, by the, all of those who participated in the voting. We thank you very much again, and we will most likely see you soon when we, uh, uh, give our support to the effort of our friendly country, Norway, when they come to the General Assembly, asking for action on a resolution that they are putting before all of us seeking advisory opinion from the ICJ on issues related to the situation in Palestine. And I thank you very much, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished observer of the observer state of Palestine. We have heard the last speaker for this meeting. In accordance with the terms of paragraph 11 of resolution ES-10/26 of the 11th of December 2024, the 10th Emergency Special Session of the Assembly is temporarily adjourned. The meeting is adjourned.