UN Transcripts — https://transcripts.un.org/en/sc/10177
The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question - Security Council, 10177th meeting — Security Council — 18 June 2026
Language: en
Automatically generated transcript — may contain errors. Not an official United Nations record.

---
Colombia · President [0:04]:

The 10,177th meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is the situation in the Middle East. Including the Palestinian question. The agenda is adopted. In accordance with Rule 37 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite the representatives of Saudi Arabia and Israel to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. In accordance with Rule 39 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Ms. Bushra Khalidi, Head of Humanitarian Policy at Oxfam International. It is so decided. I propose that the Council invite the Permanent Observer of the Observer State of Palestine to the United Nations to participate in this meeting in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure and the established practice in this regard. There being no objection, it is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of Item 2 of the agenda. I now give the floor to Mr. Tom Fletcher.

Tiene la palabra.

You have the floor, sir.


OCHA · USG Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator · Tom Fletcher [2:30]:

Madam President, members of the Council, 7 months ago this Council came together to pass without objection UN Security Council Resolution 28/03, a moment of hope— fragile but real hope. It followed months of intensive mediation, including President Trump's 20-point plan and the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit in October 2025. With thanks to those mediators, this resolution has brought results. It has reduced civilian harm from Israeli military strikes on Gaza. By that point, over 67,000 Palestinians had been killed and over three-quarters of Gaza's buildings and roads damaged or destroyed. Two years of sustained and high-intensity bombardment of civilians and civilian infrastructure. It brought the return of the— the remaining hostages taken by Hamas following the horrific attacks —of October 7th, 2023, when over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed. Those able to return are finally back with their families and communities, able to start to rebuild their lives. It removed some of the barriers to humanitarian access that had constrained our efforts for months, allowing us to reach populations that had endured unbearable and unimaginable conditions. That progress should be recognized. I pay tribute to the humanitarians who have delivered over 1 million hot meals daily and sustained essential services. I thank partners at the Board of Peace for their help in reducing the significant obstacles our teams were facing before the ceasefire. [SPEAKING RUSSIAN] 6 months after the ceasefire, denial rates for our missions have dropped from 31% to 11%. The share of households reporting going to bed hungry dropped from 92% to 36%. Gaza is no longer currently classified as being in famine, IPC Phase 5. The remains in severe crisis, IPC Phase 4. We've done more than deliver food. 21,000 truckloads, an average of 108 each day, were collected by the UN and our partners, a 72% increase from before the ceasefire. We expanded water, health services, including catch-up immunization for tens of thousands of Palestinian children, and ensuring 44% of health points are now at least partially operational. We rehabilitated 100 classrooms and set up hundreds of learning spaces, and provided shelter for over 600,000 people. We are clearing 1,500 tons of debris every single day. [SPEAKING ARABIC] So when humanitarians have protection, access, and funding, we can and will reach survivors with significant life-saving support. But UNSCR 2803 and the 20-point plan are meant to deliver much more than that. These fragile gains are the bare minimum of what Palestinians need. And what we can provide and what international law demands. They reflect movement away from a catastrophic baseline, not the fulfillment of fundamental needs. Gaza is being held together by humanitarian workarounds and Palestinian perseverance, and this is unsustainable. So today, I wish to focus not just on what has been achieved since 2803, but on the urgent work that now lies ahead. Today, Palestinians in Gaza remain deprived of the basics that you would all demand for your own families: safety, shelter, clean water, healthcare, education. Despite reduced active fighting, civilians continue to be killed and maimed in daily airstrikes, shelling, and gunfire. Since the ceasefire, nearly 1,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Ministry of Health, including, our colleagues at UNICEF report, more than 250 children. This is what happens when children are described as collateral damage and potential terrorists, rather than humans and potential neighbors. For humanitarians, I'm afraid that Gaza remains the most dangerous place on earth to deliver aid. Almost 600 aid workers killed there in nearly 3 years, over half of over 1,000 humanitarians killed globally. For their families and colleagues, we call again for accountability. Too many Palestinians are being squeezed into an ever-shrinking strip of land. Their lives are shaped by the indignity of constantly shifting yellow and orange lines, that define where they can seek refuge. 70% of the population needs proper shelter. Essential services are on the brink. WHO report that no hospital is fully operational. UNICEF warn that, for 1.1 million children, water remains a daily uncertainty. Sanitation conditions continue to deteriorate. Doctors report a stark increase in rat bite cases. Shortages of generators, engine oil, spare parts are forcing reliance on expensive alternatives such as prolonged water trucking and complex medical evacuations. Consider what each of these challenges represents for the existence of a mother in Gaza. So it is not enough to silence the weapons. We must restore dignity.


Speaker 3 [8:46]:

Thank you.


OCHA · USG Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator · Tom Fletcher [8:48]:

Madam President, humanitarians still face continued persistent constraints. Our work is attacked through campaigns of disinformation and occasionally personal abuse. I hope we will hear no more of that in this chamber. Humanitarian access continues to rely on one, at most two operational crossings, when significantly greater capacity could easily be made available for the movement of aid and staff. Cumbersome approvals, customs procedures, combined with restrictions on so-called dual-use items, limit the entry of critical humanitarian supplies. For example, the WHO note that these have at times included prosthetic limbs. These constraints, compounded by restrictions on essential UNRWA and NGO services, are leaving too much vital support stalled outside Gaza and our work undermined by shortages of fuel, spare parts, and armored vehicles and other protective equipment for aid workers. These patterns should be considered alongside the rhetoric from some senior Israeli officials who place political conditions on humanitarian support despite clear obligations under international humanitarian law. As the Secretary-General stated last week, Humanitarian aid must never be used as a bargaining chip. 6 months into 2026, I must be candid about funding. Less than a quarter of our appeal has been met. Behind these numbers are meals uncooked, water not delivered, nearly 1 million people left without adequate shelter. So I thank all of our donors, including members of this council, for the support we have received. Thank you. To date this year, this includes one-third of the appeal supported by the United States, 12% by the EU, with Sweden, the UAE, Canada, and Japan between 5% and 10% each. Madam President, what unfolds in Gaza cannot be separated from the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. There, a decades-long deterioration is accelerating rapidly, characterized by calls from Israeli officials for Palestinian voluntary migration and an intensification of discriminatory policies and practices. More than 1,000 incidents of settler violence recorded in 2026 so far. That's 6 incidents per day. Forced displacement, destruction of homes and other property, land confiscation, movement restrictions are hollowing out daily life. These measures appear aimed at altering the demographic composition of the occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of international law, and they must cease. Madam President, to conclude, the humanitarian community has 3 asks of this Council. First, to ensure the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers. Second, to ensure safe, sustained, unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need in Gaza, wherever they are. To achieve this, we ask once again for the immediate full-capacity operation of Eretz Beit Hanoun, Qarni, and Kerem Shalom crossings to establish a high-volume multi-route pipeline. But we also need access to crucial sites inside Gaza, including the landfills near the perimeter fence, such as Sofa. [SPEAKING HEBREW] We ask you for the immediate removal of Israeli restrictions on essential survival items, specifically medical equipment, including diagnostic tools, but also critical spare parts for water and sanitation, consistent supplies of fuel and engine oil, communication and protective equipment for aid workers. We ask for the restoration of humanitarian customs waivers and the issuance of long-term, predictable, not month by month, visas for international UN and NGO staff, alongside streamlined NGO registration processes. And we ask for the resumption of government-to-government convoys from Jordan and scaled-up medical evacuations to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Humanitarian action is not a menu of options. It is a single ecosystem that is severely undermined when its components are impeded. And these are not sequential steps or bargaining chips. We ask thirdly and finally for funding that is timely, flexible, and commensurate with the scale of this crisis. The attention of the world has been elsewhere. The agreement between the United States and Iran and the hopes for an urgent and vital ceasefire in Lebanon should return this Council's sustained attention to the reality in Gaza and to the patient, courageous work that lies ahead. Diplomacy requires your full, unified weight to implement UNSCR 2803, including a genuine ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas, and civilian leadership in Gaza. We must be guided by international law, by UN resolutions, by the hope of a two-state solution that delivers security, justice, and opportunity, and ultimately by the aspiration of Palestinians, Israelis, and the wider region to live together with security, justice, and opportunity. But civilians cannot wait for a more convenient diplomatic moment to receive the basics for survival. We cannot allow the summit of our ambition and our will to be a world where children have sufficient calories to survive and are spared constant bombing, yet remain hungry, bitten by rats, homeless, and out of school. Thank you.


Colombia · President [14:50]:

I thank Mr. Fletcher for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Bushra Khalidi. You have the floor, Madam.


OXFAM · Head of Humanitarian Policy · Bushra Khalidi [15:09]:

Madam President, esteemed Council members, thank you really for your gracious invitation to brief this Council. I'm here as a humanitarian. To speak today as Oxfam Global Humanitarian Policy Lead, I bear witness to what Oxfam's colleagues, local partners, and communities in Gaza share daily. Palestinians are being denied the basic conditions to survive. I speak also as a Palestinian mother from Jerusalem, living in the West Bank. My husband's family is trapped in Gaza. For years, my son knows his family through separation, forcible displacement, and loss. And I share this not because my story is exceptional, but because it reflects a wider Palestinian reality. Gaza is not separate from Jerusalem or the West Bank. It is governed by the same system of Israel's unlawful occupation, a system that regulates and denies movement, restricts crossings, threatens homes, divides families like mine. We cannot travel freely. And Gaza is where that system reaches its most devastating expression. Madam President, the humanitarian emergency in Gaza continues. The ceasefire is failing. Israeli forces continue to kill Palestinians 3 this morning in an airstrike. Gaza is being carved up again with more of its entire population squeezed into a shrinking fraction of the Strip. Civilians remain trapped, displaced, hungry, and unprotected. Peace cannot be measured by declarations. It must be measured by whether people can live, whether parents can feed their children, families can sleep without fear, and people can access clean water, and whether patients receive medical care and communities rebuilt. This council knows the devastation. You have been briefed for almost 3 years. Knowledge is not the issue. Action is. Madam President, Pallets, tonnage, and trucks are often pointed to as evidence of access. But a truck crossing a border is not the same as aid reaching a family. It doesn't tell me or you whether its cargo was humanitarian or commercial, whether aid reached those most in need across Gaza. Progress? Must be measured against clear humanitarian outcomes. Do hospitals have medicine and fuel? Are water and sewage systems being repaired? Can children return to safe learning spaces? Can families sleep without sewage and waste surrounding them? Without their children waking up to rats biting their cheeks? By these measures, Gaza's not recovering. My colleagues and I hear from people like Iman. She's a mother of 3. She lives with her family in a cloth tent, and she says, "Mice and rats eat through the tent and contaminate our food." Tahriir. She's a grandmother. She walks for hours for water and tells us every cup has become precious. Some goods can be found in the markets for sure, but availability is not access when most families have no income and can't afford food. Wheat is more than 5 times its pre-war price. Eggs cost 4 to 5 times more. Cooking gas has more than doubled, and basic medicine remains out of reach. Since March 2025, Israel has blocked Oxfam and other humanitarian actors from bringing any goods into Gaza. Limited entry through a handful of approved channels is no match for the scale of need. Palestinians in Gaza are not asking others to rebuild their future. They want to lead it. Gaza needs systems restored. They need water, they need hospitals, they need shelter, they need sanitation, schools, electricity, public services, protection. [FOREIGN LANGUAGE] Under impossible circumstances, my colleagues and our Palestinian partners continue to deliver essential aid. Water, sanitation, food, hygiene kits, the bare minimum. Since October 2023, we at Oxfam have reached almost 1.5 million individuals. Madam President, the humanitarian infrastructure necessary for recovery has been deliberately dismantled. Credible humanitarian actors, including UNRWA, are blocked from doing their jobs despite being audited, transparent, accountable, bound by humanitarian principles. We coordinate. We serve people according to need. We speak when civilians are harmed or in danger. And that includes condemning the atrocities committed against Israeli civilians on the 7th of October, but also— Thank you. Speaking clearly about the genocide and collective punishment imposed on Palestinians in Gaza. Yet we are obstructed, restricted, deregistered, killed in shocking numbers. These are the experienced professionals that parties should want in a response. Blocking principled humanitarians is part of wider collective punishment. When they are blocked, Opaque and unaccountable actors fill the vacuum. Prioritization collapses. Coordination erodes. Communities are left to navigate scarcity and survival on their own. Madam President, Resolution 2803 was adopted to uphold the ceasefire and address the apocalyptic humanitarian situation in Gaza. But adoption is not implementation. Thank you. 7 months later, even these basic objectives are not being met. And implementation is not the ceiling of what Palestinians are owed under international law. It is a baseline. It must be judged by whether people in Gaza are safer, whether aid is reaching them at scale, whether Palestinian rights are upheld. And by these measures, implementation is failing. The Council must hold the parties accountable now. and not after further political negotiation, not after disarmament, not as a reward for compliance. Now. Are civilians protected? Are crossings open? Is aid independent? Are services restored? Can people in Gaza and in the broader Palestine move, return, and rebuild safely? Those questions require independent, transparent processing at Gaza's crossings, and reporting verified by the UN and humanitarian actors. Not once every 6 months, not based on announcements by the parties, and not treated as a substitute for actions. If benchmarks are ignored or dismissed, this council must act by using all its available political, diplomatic, and legal tools to end the atrocities, to end the occupation, Madam President, the drivers of this humanitarian catastrophe are political. Political choices produce humanitarian consequences. Siege, settlement expansion, denial of movement, obstruction of humanitarian actors, destruction of civilian infrastructure, annexation, dispossession. Palestinians are being denied self-determination in Gaza, They're being denied even the basic conditions to survive. These conditions will not end while the unlawful occupation that produces and sustains them continues and while impunity continues. Member states cannot call for humanitarian relief while allowing economic trade, business, or military ties deepen Palestinian dispossession and need. Madam President. The people of Gaza do not need another framework that manages their destitution. Their basic survival. They need a ceasefire that holds. They need all crossings open, aid at scale, protection, accountability, support for women and children living with trauma, loss, and repeated displacement, the right to return to their homes, to rebuild, and to determine their future. On July 3rd, we will mark 1,000 days of this war. This month also marks 19 years of Israel's siege on Gaza. Palestinian voices must not only be heard, they must be centered in every decision about Gaza's future. Our lives and futures are too often shaped in rooms where we are absent. States must uphold international humanitarian law, the ICJ provisional measures, the ICJ advisory opinion, and the commitments made through the New York Declaration. They must protect civilians and humanitarian workers. They must secure access and ensure that their trade, business, and military ties are not sustaining further violations. Excellencies, history is not going to remember how many reports were filed or how many meetings were convened. It will judge whether, when confronted with lives and futures being obliterated, this council acted with urgency, with courage, with humanity. As teams from countries around the world gather here to play football, Palestinians are asking for something far more basic: to live, to move, to return, to rebuild, to see our children not having to risk their lives to kick a ball to see our children simply survive another day. We must be protected and these atrocities must be stopped. But people in Gaza cannot wait for some future reckoning. They're trapped in the present, surviving it or being killed in it. The choice is yours.


Colombia · President [25:59]:

[FOREIGN LANGUAGE] I thank Ms. Khalidi for her briefing and her transparency. I now give the floor To those Council members who wish to make statements, I give the floor to the representative of Bahrain.


Bahrain [26:42]:

Madam President, the Kingdom of Bahrain appreciates the prompt response to the request to convene this meeting. We extend our thanks to Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, and to Ms. Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam Head of Humanitarian Policy, for their briefings, which reflected the extremely sensitive conditions in Gaza. The troubling scenes in Gaza, where 2 million innocent people live under the weight of extreme deprivation, are far removed not only from the voice of the Security Council and from the aspirations and laws of the international community, but also from the most basic rights that the brotherly Palestinian people aspire to obtain, including the right to live in security, peace, and prosperity. In this regard, I would like to address the following points. First, the Kingdom of Bahrain renews its call to adhere to the discourse of peace and to build on the positive steps that have been achieved in a way that enhances the prospects of reaching a just, comprehensive, and lasting solution. Among these positive steps are the launch of the Global Coalition for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, the New York Declaration led by Saudi Arabia and France, the achievement of a ceasefire in Gaza through a Qatari-Egyptian-American mediation, and the establishment of the Board of Peace welcomed by Security Council Resolution 2803, which included the launch of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza and the establishment of a liaison office between this committee and the Palestinian government. Thank you. The Kingdom of Bahrain's accession as a founding member to the Board of Peace, at the invitation of the friendly United States, confirms our commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful settlement of conflicts, as well as to promoting the values of tolerance and coexistence. This comes in line with the outcomes of the 33rd Arab Summit, or the Bahrain Summit, which affirmed support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the provision of health and educational assistance to those affected by conflicts. In light of the above, Bahrain stresses the need to adhere to the comprehensive plan through the full implementation of the ceasefire, the entry of humanitarian and relief aid at scale and in a sustainable manner, and transitioning to the second phase of the plan. The Kingdom of Bahrain also urges coordination among international initiatives related to the Palestinian issue in order to maximize benefits for the brotherly Palestinian people. Second, in reference to the alarming information presented in the briefings, the situation on the ground is— in Gaza threatens to reverse progress and to undermine the achievements made. Gaza continues to suffer from insecurity owing to the ongoing strikes, which leads to a continued displacement amid a lack of adequate basic resources— services, limited humanitarian aid, scarcity of water resources, and ongoing risks to public health. We also note UN reports dated 15th of June confirming indications of military expansion west of what is known as the yellow line in Gaza. Accordingly, the Kingdom of Bahrain refers to paragraph 3 of Security Council Resolution 2803, which emphasizes the importance of fully resuming the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza in cooperation with the Board of Peace, and also points to Item 16 of the comprehensive plan. Third, it is not possible to address what is happening in Gaza in isolation from the developments in the West Bank, which is witnessing unprecedented tension due to the escalating settlement activity, to violence by settlers, to restrictions on Islamic and Christian holy sites, to forced displacements, and other developments that hinder progress achieved through various peace efforts. According to the Kingdom of Bahrain calls for adhering to the path of peace and to relevant international resolutions. As well as compliance with all legal and humanitarian obligations in this regard. In conclusion, the Kingdom of Bahrain reaffirms that the success of any genuine path towards peace in the region begins with realizing an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4th, 1967 borders—

With East Jerusalem as its capital—

With East Jerusalem as its capital— living side by side with the State of Israel on the basis of the two-state solution in accordance with international law, the Arab Peace Initiative, and relevant international legitimacy resolutions, in addition to empowering the brotherly Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights, thereby creating a more stable, open, and integrated regional environment. Thank you, President. Thank you.


Colombia · President [32:50]:

I thank the representative of Bahrain for that statement. I now give the floor to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. You have the floor.


Democratic Republic of the Congo [33:04]:

Thank you, Madame President. The Democratic Republic of the Congo wishes to thank you for having convened this meeting. Meeting dedicated to the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. My delegation wishes to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, as well as Madame Bushra Khalidi, Head of Humanitarian Policy of Oxfam International, for their comprehensive briefings. Madam President, the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains gravely concerned by the persistent deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Despite the diplomatic efforts that have been initiated, realities on the ground reflect a situation of extreme fragility. The ongoing nature of hostilities continues to expose civilians to unbearable human losses and devastation of infrastructure, which is vital for their survival. As the humanitarian space shrinks, access to the most vulnerable becomes increasingly difficult, and the needs of these people continue to grow. At the same time, the recurrent closures of crossing points gravely compromises delivery of humanitarian assistance and basic needs deliveries. Restrictions which continue to obstruct humanitarian operations are exacerbating an already critical situation and are compounding the vulnerability of millions of civilians.


Speaker 11 [34:38]:

Thank you.


Democratic Republic of the Congo [34:39]:

In light of these circumstances, we reaffirm the need for an urgent, coordinated international response, which is conducted in accordance with the principles of international law, specifically international humanitarian law. In that vein, we call for secure, sustained, and unimpeded immediate humanitarian access to all people in the Gaza Strip. In order to provide for the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, as well as civilian infrastructure. We also ardently hope for the meaningful resumption of humanitarian operations, specifically those conducted by the UN and partners, so that assistance can reach those in need. We wish to take this opportunity to applaud the commitment of humanitarian personnel, uh, uh, uh, who are evolving their operations under difficult circumstances. Whether we are talking about UNRWA or other entities, realities remain the same. Humanitarian personnel remain mobilized by the thousands as they seek to deliver vital services, but they continue to face restrictions— access restrictions, as well as heightened security risks in the absence of international personnel. These attacks against humanitarian personnel and facilities are further exacerbating operational constraints. This situation must go on no further. It must be brought to an end, and this requires urgent coordinated international action, which boils down to the subsequent— the following 7 points. Point number 1, immediate humanitarian access, guaranteeing comprehensive, secure, and unimpeded 1, delivery of humanitarian assistance, specifically through the reopening of all checkpoints and the lifting of restrictions on the delivery of essential goods and humanitarian personnel. 2, protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel. All parties have an obligation to fully respect international humanitarian law and to provide for the protection of civilians, medical personnel, and humanitarian facilities.

Facilities.

Facilities. 3, the restoration of Vital services delivery, providing for urgent deliveries of fuel, spare parts, technical equipments in order to rebuild health systems, access to water, sanitation, and to facilitate waste management. For strengthening public health measures, supporting measures in the areas of water access, sanitation, hygiene, as well as epidemiological monitoring and prevention campaigns. 5, the resumption of large-scale humanitarian operations in order to enable UNRWA and other humanitarian actors to fully resume their operations, including the facilitating entry of international personnel and the distribution of already positioned assistance supplies. Supplies. 6. Sustainable financing, increasing contributions from the international community in order to ensure continuity of vital programs in the areas of healthcare, food security, water, education, and psychosocial support. In order to achieve this, there is a need for urgent humanitarian assistance without waiting for the political situation on the ground to change. 7. Protection of vital infrastructure with the adoption of immediate measures to preventing further destruction of civilian infrastructure, this infrastructure which is necessary for survival of the population, specifically hospitals, water infrastructure, and shelter. Madam President, without immediate action, the collapse of basic services and persistent restrictions to humanitarian assistance are liable to result in an even greater disaster. The international community has an obligation to act decisively in order to alleviate the plight of civilians and to shoulder collective responsibility for the protection of civilians. If this is not achieved, our Council will have to conduct frequent monitoring in order to assess the humanitarian situation on the ground and to adopt immediate measures. Thank you.


Colombia · President [38:55]:

I thank the delegation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for that statement. I now give the floor to Denmark.


Denmark [39:05]:

Thank you, Madam President. And let me also thank Under-Secretary-General Fletcher and Ms. Khalidi for their briefings. The picture they have painted is stark. Despite persistent efforts of the Board of Peace, it is one of continued civilian suffering in Gaza and of a humanitarian situation in crisis far from what was intended last November when this Council adopted Resolution 2803, endorsing the comprehensive peace plan. This is why Denmark joined the other elected Council members in calling for this urgent briefing. Madam President, in this context, and while we continue to expect progress on other aspects of the peace plan, in particular the urgent need to disarm Hamas and ensure that Hamas has no future role in Gaza, allow me to make two points. First, on access. The parties to the conflict must deliver on the commitment of the comprehensive peace plan, which include, and I quote, upon the acceptance of this agreement, full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025 agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including the rehabilitation of infrastructure, water, electricity, and sewage, rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads. End of quote. Unfortunately, the reality on the ground is inconsistent with these commitments. Aid entering Gaza has remained largely insufficient, both in quantity and in quality, despite nearly the entire population depending on life-saving services. Humanitarian access has remained inconsistent, restricted and below agreed commitments. While restrictions on commercial access have been partially eased, much of what enters through commercial channels is neither sufficient nor appropriate to meet the large-scale humanitarian needs. Crucially, commercial goods do not measure up to a principled needs-based humanitarian response that reaches the most vulnerable. Oil, fuel, generators, spare parts, temporary shelters, medicine, wash supplies, and other essential items continue to be severely restricted by Israel. These restrictions also limit the rehabilitation of infrastructure and demining efforts crucial for the humanitarian relief, early recovery, and reconstruction, as well as for the safety of all Palestinians. These restrictions have dire and unacceptable human, human consequences. Most of Gaza's population is unable to access affordable, nutritious food, and they've received food quantities below the minimum needs. Most are without sufficient clean water and live without proper shelters, sanitation, and sewage system, exposing them to pests and infections, leading to a rise in disease rates. Given the vast destruction and damage to Gaza's healthcare system, we call on Israel to reopen the medical corridor from Gaza to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, while stressing the need for patients to be able to return to Gaza. Madam President, it is clear that we are very far from the target we set 7 months ago. This is why Denmark reiterates that humanitarian assistance must be safe, sustained, sustained and unimpeded. It cannot be conditional and it must never be used as a bargaining chip. The UN and its humanitarian partners are able and ready to scale up humanitarian operations if only allowed to do so. We call on Israel to lift the unreasonable level of restrictions on items designated as dual use and to open all crossings. We must also shift away from counting trucks towards an improved and verifiable humanitarian benchmark that indicates the actual relief provided to the civilians of Gaza. Madam President, my second point relates to the brave people working day and night to deliver humanitarian aid and our commitment to support them in working without interference and in safety. As highlighted by OCHA, protection risks persist and a sustained ceasefire is the single most important enabler of humanitarian aid and early recovery. Humanitarian workers, medical personnel, and civilians must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law. The Comprehensive Peace Plan clearly states that entry and distribution of aid should proceed without interference from the two parties, that it should be done through the UN and its agencies, the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party.


Speaker 15 [43:51]:

Thank you.


Denmark [43:53]:

Denmark is alarmed by Israel's decision to deregister international NGOs. The absence of these organizations would have a significantly negative impact on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and we urge Israel to allow them to operate in the occupied Palestinian territory. We reiterate our call on all parties to respect the ceasefire and to uphold international law. Including international humanitarian law. We also remain deeply concerned with any risk of further expansion of Israeli control of Gaza. Madam President, in closing, the comprehensive peace plan, along with Resolution 2803 and all other related resolutions, offer a viable path forward to meaningfully improve the situation on the ground for the civilians in Gaza. What is needed is implementation. Around this table, we need to do more to deliver on our commitments and to ensure that these resolutions are fully implemented by all parties. As a Council, this is our collective responsibility, and Denmark remains steadfast in our support to this important end. I thank you.


Speaker 17 [45:06]:

Thank you.


Colombia · President [45:10]:

I thank the delegation of Denmark. I now give the floor to the representative of Panama.


Panama [45:24]:

Thank you, Madam President. Panama is grateful for the convening of this emergency meeting and for the information provided by Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for OCHA, and Ms. Bushra Khalidi, Head of Humanitarian Policy at Oxfam International, civil society We recognize and value the fact that the ceasefire of October 2025 and subsequent efforts supported by this Council through Resolution 2803 of 2025 have made it possible to partially meet some of the most urgent needs of the civilian population and facilitate greater access of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. However, the undeniable progress that has been made continues to fall short of needs on some fronts when we compare it to the extent of the protracted crisis whose effects persist on the ground. Figures demonstrate just that. In the last 8 months of the ceasefire, 981 people have been killed and more than 3,100 have been wounded. That is the equivalent on average to almost 4 people killed and more than 12 wounded every day. Nobody should lose their life in attempting to access food, water, or medical care. or be targeted by intimidation, reprisals, or violence simply because of expressing their opinions or for calling for dignified living conditions for themselves or their families. Panama reiterates that the protection of civilians must continue to be an absolute priority and that all parties must fully respect their obligations pursuant to international law, including international humanitarian law. Moreover, we insist on the need to guarantee full, safe, rapid, and unfettered humanitarian access. Vital assistance must reach those who need it at the scale required and in a sustained fashion. Ensuring that that is a goal achieved involves preserving the conditions that allow United Nations agencies and other agencies to continue to do their work. And to maintain the crucial services on which the civilian population depends. As a result of the devastating violence, more than 70% of Gaza's people now depend on water transported by tanker trucks to meet their basic needs. This reality lays bare the extent to which The minimum conditions required for dignified life have deteriorated. The paucity of fuel and other essential inputs continue to limit the capacity of hospitals, health facilities, and humanitarian organizations to maintain their operations in place, and that is having direct consequences for millions of people. The crisis is also imperiling the future of an entire generation. Thousands of children and young people continue to face difficulties to regularly access education, and while at the same time constraints on access to health and protection services continues to make them ever more vulnerable. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Every day that elapses without these opportunities being granted is a loss that the future of Gaza will be hard placed to recover from. President Nayib Bukele] President Panama reiterates its recognition of and support for the work of the United Nations, its agencies, funds, and programs, as well as that done by international and local humanitarian organizations that continue to work on the ground in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. The protection of humanitarian personnel must be a principle respected at all times by all parties. No humanitarian operation can remain in place if those that make it possible continue to face such high levels of risk and violence. Madam President, the people of Gaza deserve the opportunity to rebuild a future whose hallmarks must be human dignity, security, education, health, development, and hope, and not violence, extremism, or the perpetuation of conflict. Panama remains of the conviction that this future cannot be, cannot be built with the participation of Hamas. Comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Gaza Can only be built on the foundation of a reformed and unified Palestinian government committed to the well-being of its people and to building a climate of security and stability which will allow Palestinians and Israelis to look towards the future with hope, free of fear and of violence. This goal must remain the lodestar of the international community's efforts. Thank you.


Colombia · President [51:06]:

I thank the delegate of Panama for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Latvia.


Latvia [51:16]:

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you for convening this meeting at a short notice. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to be at a level of deprivation that demands urgent and sustained international attention. And I thank Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher for his informative briefing. And I also thank Ms. Bushra Khalidi, Head of Humanitarian Policy at Oxfam International, for sharing the experience of providing the humanitarian assistance in Gaza. I would like to use this opportunity to commend the vital work of the UN agencies and international humanitarian partners.— for their tireless work as they continue operating under extremely difficult conditions in Gaza and elsewhere in the world. Madam President, when adopting Resolution 2803 endorsing President Trump's peace plan, this Council and the wider international community anticipated rapid and significant improvements of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. 7 months later, the hunger and famine have been alleviated, but the basic humanitarian needs are only partially met. It is important to acknowledge that last November the humanitarian threshold was at a catastrophic level to claim the situation now being optimal. Unimpeded and full humanitarian access to civilian population in Gaza must be ensured urgently and unconditionally. In accordance with international humanitarian law. It is unbearable that the vast majority of Gaza's population is still living in tents and damaged buildings. The continued accumulation of waste, recent spread of rat infestations, and absence of clean water and sanitation infrastructure are jeopardizing public health and further eroding the living conditions. Tangible restoration of decent daily life For the people in Gaza, including the rebuilding of essential civilian infrastructure, is a matter of urgency. Hospitals must be supplied at scale to ensure adequate healthcare, and access to medical treatment outside of Gaza must be facilitated. And we call on Israel to ensure that all crossing points into Gaza are open and operate efficiently, allowing food, water, and other goods indispensable to the survival of the civilian population. To be delivered at scale and without impediments. The humanitarian aid is not just food. The restrictions related to the so-called dual-use items and the related lengthy clearance procedures must be addressed to ensure that shelter and building materials, non-food items, including medical equipment, can be delivered without further delay. The ceasefire has allowed life-saving aid to reach more people in Gaza. At the same time, food insecurity remains a daily reality. Given the low or nonexistent income, the vast majority of families are largely dependent on the aid delivered by the UN and international NGOs. So the registration status of the humanitarian actors needs to be resolved to allow them to provide critical humanitarian services independently and impartially. We also call on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law and respect and protect humanitarian workers, medical personnel, and journalists. While the full-scale bombardment has ceased, daily ceasefire violations in Gaza since last October have claimed nearly 1,000 lives, on top of immense loss of civilian life and endured suffering. And to consolidate the gains of the comprehensive plan and prevent a resurgence of violence in Gaza, the Security Council Resolution 2803 must be implemented as mandated. Thank you. All parties must abide by the commitments they have made. Hamas and other non-state armed groups must accept the roadmap for monitored and verified disarmament proposed by the Board of Peace and relinquish power. Hamas must be held fully accountable for the hostage-taking of civilians and military personnel in Israel, an act of terrorism that caused immense pain and whose consequences continue to affect the victims and their families. Thank you. The ongoing daily strikes by IDF on Gaza must stop, and the so-called yellow line demarcation must be pulled back to where it was upon reaching the ceasefire agreement. The deployment of the ISF and the Palestinian police and the early recovery of Gaza through the work of the NCAG are much awaited. Madam President, let me reiterate. A political solution encompassing Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem is the only way to sustain peace based on the two-state solution as defined by the Security Council resolutions and New York Declaration. Addressing the security concerns and the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians requires renewed momentum in the implementation of the comprehensive plan and genuine engagement by all parties. Latvia reaffirms its commitment to this objective. I thank you.


Colombia · President [56:34]:

I thank the representative of Latvia for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Liberia.


Liberia [56:47]:

Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. I thank the delegation of Colombia for convening this debate, and I express Liberia's gratitude to the Under-Secretary-General and our civil society briefer. Madam President, notwithstanding the reported progress we heard in the report, The humanitarian reality in Gaza is dire, if not systematically collapsing, despite Resolution 2803. Today, 70% of Gaza's population relies on trucked water. A lifeline threatened because OCHA's 2026 flash appeal is only 24% funded. The condition for living is intolerable. Hostilities have claimed 981 lives since the October ceasefire framework, proving that the peace projected on paper and intended to improve living conditions and security is anything but on the ground. Madam President, any honest assessment of Gaza must unavoidably deal with a genuine ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas, the accelerating displacement in the West Bank, and the lack of protection of civilians, in no serious particular order.


Speaker 24 [58:54]:

Mm-hmm.


Liberia [58:55]:

Unchecked settler violence and the and the displacement of over 2,500 Palestinians in 2026 alone are developments that further undermine the viability of a two-state solution. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the collective inertia of—


Speaker 26 [59:23]:

Israel.


Liberia [59:25]:

Both this Council and the international community. Millions face extreme summer heat without sanitation and, as we have heard, turning shelters into incubators for disease, compounded by widespread rodent infestation.


Speaker 28 [59:48]:

Thank you.


Liberia [59:50]:

Madam President, Liberia speaks with the understanding of a nation that has survived civil collapse, managed complex disarmament, and successfully navigated UN-backed transitional arrangements. This experience informs that communities cannot be expected to embrace peace while deprived of the basic essentials for living: water, shelter, health services, and livelihoods. This is simply a reality. Human survival must never be treated as a secondary political reward. Thank you. We call on all parties, therefore, to comply fully with international humanitarian law and refrain from actions that endanger civilians or obstruct humanitarian relief. Additionally, we offer three priorities for consideration. One, the immediate humanitarian access and protection of aid operations. All registration and administrative measures affecting humanitarian actors must be implemented in a manner that preserves rapid, impartial, and unhindered operations. Administrative requirements must accommodate humanitarian imperatives rather than restrict them. All access and supply chain barriers that impede UN agencies from maintaining baseline humanitarian logistics across the entirety of the Gaza Strip must be immediately removed. Two, emergency resource mobilization. We thank all donor nations and urge contributions to daily survival, including restoring water networks, managing solid waste, and rebuilding basic health infrastructure. Three, a credible political pathway to Palestinian governance. An indefinite status quo risks the permanent fragmentation of the territory. All sides must act to ensure the systematic transition of administrative authority to a legitimate, unified, and internationally supported Palestinian governing authority that is committed to peaceful coexistence and capable of administering both Gaza and the West Bank toward a viable two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians live in enduring security. Madam President, in conclusion, the Council has adopted resolutions, the latest of which is 2803. The humanitarian agencies have produced plans. What is absent is, as we heard from the civil society briefer and many before her— Implementation. Led by the determination of this Council, the international community must give effect to the commitments all parties, including the international community, have already made, especially in the implementation of Resolution 2803. We emphasize: all sides must fulfill their obligations fully under Resolution 2803. Thank you. 2003. In the face of the ongoing visible human suffering, we cannot choose to look away. We must not look away. I thank you for your kind attention.


Colombia · President [1:04:34]:

[FOREIGN LANGUAGE] Thank you, the representative of Liberia, for that statement. I now give the floor to Greece.


Greece [1:04:50]:

I wish to thank Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher for his briefing, as well as Bouchra Khalidi, the Global Humanitarian Policy Lead of Oxfam, for her testimony. As highlighted today, While some improvement is noted following the comprehensive peace plan and Security Council Resolution 2803, the humanitarian track continues to fall short of what the situation demands. While it is positive that Gaza is not in the state of famine, humanitarian actors report that the aid entering Gaza is insufficient while food of high nutritional value is scars. The restrictions imposed on dual-use items also create a significant negative externality. All this as medical evacuation and healthcare services to thousands of patients need to be urgently provided. The humanitarian crisis has obviously taken a devastating toll on children. Children continue to face immense suffering, including displacement, malnutrition, psychological trauma, without access to education, healthcare, clean water, and other essential services. Their protection must remain at the forefront of all relief efforts. Madam President, we called for today's briefing because the provisions of the first phase of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 are yet to be fulfilled. The Council needs to be briefed on developments in Gaza as frequently as necessary. On the one hand, disarming Hamas and all other armed groups remains imperative to stabilize Gaza. We fully support the efforts of High Representative Mladenov in that regard. In accordance with the principle of one authority, one law, and one weapon. Hamas can have no role in the governance of Gaza. At the same time, this process is lengthy. Increasing delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza at scale and proceeding with the implementation of early recovery projects such as housing, water, sewage, hospitals is urgent. Greece is committed to engaging closely in the process in close coordination with with its European, Arab, and Asian partners. We are ready to take part in discussions on the Horizon Fund, SOS, to ensure a coordinated, transparent, and impactful recovery effort in close cooperation with the Palestinian Authority. We are looking forward to the Palestinian— Palestine donor group meeting in Brussels next month. Madam President, In the midst of infectious diseases and malnutrition, an increased pace of humanitarian and commercial aid is urgently required, as well as the opening of additional crossings. We call on Israel to take the necessary measures to redress the situation in close cooperation with UN agencies. Similarly, the flow of humanitarian aid must remain unconditional as it should be in principle. As pest infestation is evidently spreading, we cannot but recognize UNRWA and UNICEF's support to pesticide application efforts, also commending WHO's vaccination campaign. At the same time, the situation in the rest of the OPTs is critical. West Bank and East Jerusalem are in the midst of increasing and unprecedented Settler violence, continuous restrictions of movement, illegal settlement expansion, and forced displacement define the everyday life of Palestinians. Madam President, as highlighted last week in this very chamber during the open debate under your presidency, it is only through dialogue, diplomacy, and mediation that peace in the Middle East will become a reality. Our commitment to a peaceful Middle East must not waver. Diplomacy has delivered and it can deliver again, for the next generation of Palestinians in Gaza deserve more than mere survival. A peaceful path ahead is possible only through the reinvigoration of a credible political process and a clear political horizon for the Palestinians. A process leading to a two-state solution in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 and all relevant UN resolutions in line with the New York Declaration as endorsed by the overwhelming majority of the international community that seeks to deliver a Middle East where people live in dignity, security, and peace. I thank you.


Colombia · President [1:10:05]:

I thank the representative of Greece for that statement. I now give the floor to Somalia.


Somalia [1:10:21]:

Thank you, Madam President. I thank Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher for his sobering briefing. And Ms. Khalidi for her powerful and courageous testimony on the dire situation facing Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory. 6 months after the Security Council Resolution 2803, humanitarian access is still denied and conditions are appalling. In that context, I would like to make the following points. First, on humanitarian access: ongoing border closures and restrictive regulations, including the new NGO registration law, block life-saving aid. Convoys are delayed or blocked, and humanitarian workers face severe constraints. As we have heard from Ms. Khalidi, Availability is not access. We call on Israel to lift immediately and unconditionally all barriers to humanitarian access and comply with its obligation under international humanitarian law. Second, on the protection of civilians, especially children. Since October 2025, Nearly 1,000 Palestinians, including many children, have been killed. Over 2,000 education-related incidents have impacted 17,000 students. Schools are unsafe and detained children report abuse and starvation. Malnutrition and trauma are widespread. Somali condemns all forms of collective punishment and affirms such acts may constitute crimes against humanity. We demand accountability and urge that those responsible be brought to justice. The Council must insist on respect for international humanitarian law and an immediate halt to attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers. Third, the systematic destruction of critical infrastructure. Gaza's public services are collapsing, medical supplies are depleted, hospitals and clinics have been attacked, and water and sanitation systems are falling. We call for unconditional protection of all medical facilities and personnel. The delivery of fuel, medical supplies, and repair materials must be guaranteed, as well as for the immediate restoration and safeguarding of essential infrastructure. Fourth, on the political track, we note the comprehensive plan and the Security Council Resolution 2803, which established the International Board of Peace as a transitional administration. We call for the Palestinian Authority to swiftly assume assume governance, as prolonged transitional arrangements risk deeper fragmentation and instability. We are deeply concerned by the continued withholding of Palestinian tax revenues, which undermine the Authority's ability to provide services and worsen the crisis. We urge the immediate release of all withheld revenues to empower legitimate governance. Thank you. Additionally, we reject the recent escalation of settler violence and terror in the West Bank, including Israeli settlers' arson attack on the mosque in West Bank villages this Wednesday, and the desecration of the Grand Mosque in Jaljalea with Hebrew graffiti. These attacks are part of a surge since Gaza War began in 2022. English. History, and they violate the sanctity of religious sites and international law. Such unilateral and illegal measures fuel instability and violence. We hold Israel, as the occupying power, responsible and call on the international community to demand an end to escalation, settler violence, and to hold perpetrators accountable. Mr. Abbas, thank you. The expansion of Israeli military control, now up to 70% of Gaza, undermines the prospects for reunification and peace. There must be a clear timeline for legitimate Palestinian governance, end the violence and collective punishment, and renew diplomatic efforts for a just and lasting peace. In conclusion, Madam President, Somalia reaffirms that upholding international law, including humanitarian law and international humanitarian and human rights law, are non-negotiable. The ongoing suffering in Gaza and the West Bank must end, and all those violations must be held accountable. Only by ending the longstanding occupation and a sovereign only with a Palestinian state with Al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital can peace and justice be achieved. The time for decisive action is now. Silence is not. I thank you.


Colombia · President [1:16:00]:

I thank the representative of Somalia for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.


Pakistan [1:16:11]:

Thank you, Madam President. Let me also thank Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher for his briefing, and I also appreciate the intervention by Ms. Bushra Khalidi from Oxfam. Madam President, this is an important meeting, and the Council needs to keep the situation in Gaza under close watch. As we have heard, Gaza remains in a perilous state. Despite the endorsement of the comprehensive plan and subsequent adoption of Security Council Resolution 2803, ceasefire violations continue and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains acute. Civilians continue to endure immense hardship. Marked by killings, deprivation, displacement, and an uncertain future. The Board of Peace has undertaken important efforts, and as reported, humanitarian indicators have shown progress compared to the pre-ceasefire period. However, these gains are overshadowed by the reality that nearly 2 million people— 2 million people. Still face in terms of dire conditions in Gaza. The efforts of the Board of Peace, the United Nations, and the international non-governmental organizations are all being undermined by the unlawful actions of the occupation authorities. President, the figures are deeply disturbing. Over 90% of Gaza's population is displaced, and only half of the hospitals are partly functional. Acute hunger affects hundreds of thousands. Daily meals have dropped from 1.5 million to 678,000, a reduction of over 50%. Overcrowding and poor sanitation are fueling disease outbreaks. More than 1 million children face displacement, malnutrition, and no access to healthcare or education. That is endangering an entire generation. President, the core issue is the arbitrary denial and delay of humanitarian access.— a recurring pattern of Israeli policy and a direct violation of the occupying power's obligations under international law. These illegal measures exacerbate civilian suffering and flagrantly violate the UN Charter, the Gaza peace plan, and resolutions of this Council. Allow me to highlight a few points that must guide our collective action. First, immediate, unhindered, and unimpeded humanitarian access must be guaranteed. Aid flow must be facilitated without restrictions in line with international humanitarian law and Resolutions 2720 and 2803. All crossings, including Rafah, must be opened and kept fully operational for aid commercial supplies, and medical evacuations. Second, the blockade of Gaza has been an instrument of occupation and collective punishment for years now. By controlling access and movement, the occupying power perpetuates the suffering of 2 million Palestinians. This blockade is a clear violation of international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. Humanitarian access must never be weaponized, and this blockade must be lifted immediately. Third, humanitarian assistance must be unconditional. While political efforts continue, aid delivery must not be contingent on political considerations or sequencing. The comprehensive plan clearly stipulates that assistance throughout Gaza should proceed through the UN and its agencies without interference. Fourthly, the arbitrary classification of humanitarian items as dual-use must cease. Such lists must not be opaque, subjective, or used to block essential goods. Fifth, critical funding shortfalls must be urgently addressed. The UN 2026 flash appeal remains only about 12% funded. The establishment of the Gaza Reconstruction and Development Fund and the mobilization of $17 billion in reconstruction pledges are welcome. We urge the swift mobilization of the required financial resources to bridge the funding gap. Sixth, UNRWA's role is is indispensable. Israeli measures targeting UNRWA are illegal and undermine vital assistance. UNRWA's mandate, repeatedly reaffirmed by UN resolutions, must be implemented fully, safely, and without obstruction. Seventh, Israeli attacks on humanitarian and medical personnel must cease immediately, and any unlawful detention must end. Mr. President, the people of Gaza face unspeakable hardship, yet their survival reflects extraordinary resilience. Resolution 2803 must be implemented. This is a point highlighted by other Council colleagues. This resolution must be fully implemented and lead to concrete steps towards a permanent ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, immediate reconstruction without conditional delays, and a credible, time-bound political process for Palestinian self-determination. We must also not forget the West Bank, where the situation is deteriorating amid escalating settler violence, displacement, and the continued expansion of illegal settlements. The Group of Eight Arab Islamic countries, which Pakistan also belongs, has issued a joint statement earlier today on the situation in West Bank. Madam President, ultimately, the solution— political solution to these humanitarian crises And to the core of the Palestinian question lies in ending the occupation and establishing a sovereign, independent, and contiguous state of Palestine on pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds, Al-Sharif as its capital. This is the vision. This is the horizon which enjoys broad international consensus. And this is the goal towards which all our efforts must be directed. I thank you.


Colombia · President [1:23:47]:

Bula kabas. I thank the representative of Pakistan for that statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of China.


China [1:24:02]:

Thank you, President. China supports the convening of this emergency meeting and thanks USG Mr. Fletcher and Ms. Khalidi for their briefings. The recent easing and de-escalation of the situation in the Middle East is a positive momentum that we hope can be maintained and can become an enabler for resolving other hotspot issues in the region, including that of Gaza. A ceasefire agreement for Gaza was reached last October, but peace did not come as expected in its wake. Instead, death and suffering remains the daily reality in Gaza. The international community should work together to bring the violence in Gaza to a swift end, improve the humanitarian situation there, and restore lasting peace. I wish to make 4 points. First, A sustained ceasefire and true peace in Gaza and the safety of Gazan civilians are imperative. Gaza is trapped in a plight where ceasefire and low-intensity attacks coexist, and innocent lives are being robbed daily. Since the conclusion of the ceasefire deal, Israeli military operations have claimed nearly 1,000 lives. We are deeply concerned by Israel's continued expansion of military occupation, extension of the yellow line zone, and worse, its threats to control 70% of Gaza's territory. Lasting security cannot be achieved through the use of force, which would only create more obstacles to peace. We call on the parties, especially Israel, to fully comply with the ceasefire agreement and halt any reckless violations of the ceasefire. Countries with significant influence over the parties should act more proactively and vigorously to push for a sustained ceasefire. Second, it is essential to fully expand humanitarian access to Gaza to ease the humanitarian crisis there. Israel's draconian Restrictions are keeping over 2 million people in Gaza trapped in what amounts to an open-air prison. Minimum conditions for survival, such as sufficient food, clean drinking water, and stable shelter, remain luxuries out of reach for the Gazans. The healthcare conditions in Gaza are deteriorating further, with shortages of medicine and fuel pushing the medical system to the brink of collapse, while sewage, and overcrowding are breeding and spreading infectious diseases. Humanitarian access must not be weaponized, and the arbitrary and reflexive closure of crossings only intensifies the collective punishment. We urge Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law, lift its restrictions on humanitarian supplies, keep all crossings fully open, and guarantee the delivery of badly needed food, medicine, fuel, and shelter materials and units to Gaza. Third, it is essential to ensure that humanitarian agencies can operate as mandated without impediment to safeguard the lifelines of Gaza. These agencies prop up a bridge of life for Gaza's population, with UNRWA being the backbone of humanitarian operations in Gaza. For some time now, The agency has been subjected to continuous attacks and suppression by Israel. Over 390 of its staff members have been killed in Gaza. Recently, Israel introduced a new registration policy for international NGOs, which will severely impact and hamper humanitarian operations in Gaza. Israel should stop suppressing UNRWA. Thank you. Support and protect the work of the agency and other humanitarian actors in Gaza, and ensure the safe, uncomplicated, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. Fourth, it is essential to advance post-war arrangements in Gaza steadily and appropriately and implement the two-state solution. Gaza is the homeland of the Palestinian people. Any arrangements or the creation of new mechanisms must be guided by the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine, respect the will of the Palestinians, and promote rather than undermine the two-state solution. Gaza, now a picture of utter and extensive devastation, has yet to rise from the ruins across all fronts. Post-war recovery and reconstruction should commence as soon as possible. Imposing preconditions on this effort would only prolong the suffering of civilians. The international community must take irreversible steps to implement the two-state solution and reject any and all attempts to alter Gaza's demographic composition and redraw its map. Last month, the Security Council reviewed the first report submitted by the Board of Peace and should continue to keep a close watch on the developments in Gaza and any post-war arrangements, as this Council is mandated to do. China remains committed to working with the rest of the international international community towards a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and end to the humanitarian catastrophe there, the implementation of a two-state solution, and a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the question of Palestine without further delay. I thank you, President.


Colombia · President [1:29:31]:

I thank the representative of China for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of France.


France [1:29:42]:

Thank you, Madam President. I wish to thank Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Tom Fletcher, and the Head of Humanitarian Policy at Oxfam International, Ms. Bushra Khalidi. I thank them for their presentations, and I welcome Palestine, Israel, and Saudi Arabia to our meeting. Madam President, France joined the request for this meeting because recent developments in Gaza demonstrate demonstrate that the situation is deteriorating to a worrying extent, and that trend is threatening the progress facilitated by the ceasefire agreement, the peace plan Resolution 2803. It is incumbent upon this Council to react. Six dynamics must be reversed in Gaza. Firstly, the ever-increasingly fragile nature of the ceasefire. The ceasefire is violated daily. It is vital that the ceasefire be fully respected and that that war does not resume. The Palestinian civilian population is already at the very limits of human— of endurance and could not take it. We call upon the mediators— U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey— to step up their efforts in this direction. Secondly, the persistent presence of obstacles hindering the delivery of aid and the work of humanitarian actors, including UNRWA and international NGOs. I will not repeat What was said by many speakers in terms of their description of that state of affairs, it is incumbent upon Israel to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law and Resolution 2803. The population is doomed to simply survive and nothing more. The aid getting in remains woefully insufficient, both in terms of quantity and quality. The blockade of essential commodities under the false pretext of there being dual use is unacceptable. The crossing points must be immediately reopened. 3. The persistent refusal of Hamas to disarm is unacceptable and does damage to the Palestinian people, Israel's security, and the security of the region. Hamas must engage in good faith in negotiations underway and disarm. France supports the mediators' efforts to achieve an agreement and recalls that Hamas will never be able to play any role in the governance of Gaza in accordance with the peace plan and the New York Declaration. My fourth point: the paralysis of efforts towards recovery and reconstruction. This is another dynamic that needs to be reversed. These efforts must be embarked upon without delay in Gaza. Competent actors, namely the Horizon Fund of the United Nations, to which France has contributed around $5 million, are ready to intervene in lifting restrictions. We call upon our partners to contribute to those efforts now. Restoring the conditions for dignified life cannot be conditional upon the conclusion of a disarmament process. Fifthly, the expansion of the Israeli occupation and the concentration of the population on an ever-shrinking Strip. Israel's stated goal to occupy 70% of the enclave runs counter to the commitments entered into in the peace plan. France recalls here its staunch opposition to the division of Palestine and to any forcible displacement of the population. Thank you. Sickly, the persistent presence of obstacles hindering the provision of information regarding the situation in Gaza, 8 months after the ceasefire. Nothing can justify Israel's refusal to allow international journalists and foreign diplomats into the enclave. President France calls upon this Council and parties to step up efforts to reverse these trends seen on the ground and to fully implement Resolution 2803. It is vital to build on the first phase of the plan and to allow the second stage to take shape. That involves the deployment of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza and the return of a reformed Palestinian Authority. It also involves the deployment of the International Stabilization Force and the Palestinian Police Force. It involves the disarmament of Hamas and Israel's withdrawal. The worrying situation, Madam President, in the West Bank cannot be ignored. We have a collective responsibility to staunchly oppose the intensification of settlement activity and to put an end to impunity currently shrouding settler violence. Project E1 is a grave threat to the territorial contiguity of Palestine and is part of a dynamic of de facto annexation that we reject. France will continue to strive for the two-state solution in accordance with the New York Declaration. It is in this spirit that on the 12th of June in Paris, we held an event bringing together Israel and Palestinian civil society. That event demonstrated that another path forward is possible, that of peace and mutual recognition. My mission will submit to the Secretary-General and member states a letter summarizing the conclusions of that event. I thank you.


Colombia · President [1:34:40]:

I wish to thank the representative of France for that statement, and I now give the floor I now turn to the representative of the United Kingdom.


United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [1:34:52]:

Thank you, President. I thank Under-Secretary-General Fletcher and Ms. Khalidi for their powerful briefing today. President, last November, this council adopted Resolution 2803, endorsing President Trump's comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict. This provided a historic opportunity to achieve lasting peace. And as USG Fletcher's briefing set out, there has been some progress since then on the humanitarian front and in the return of all hostages. But Mr. Fletcher and Ms. Khalidi also provided us with a stark reminder that the promise of this plan has not yet been realized and urgent action is needed by both sides to fulfill their commitments and get implementation back on track. So I'll highlight 3 priorities. First, as we heard today, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Ongoing violations of the ceasefire are reported to have killed over 1,000 Palestinians since October. Repeated displacement, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate access to medical care have left children and families exposed to disease, too malnourished to fight infection. And yet Israel continues to apply dual-use restrictions to block essential items while also limiting aid delivery to a single crossing, creating congestion and further delay. Resolution 2803 is clear.

Israel must stop blocking aid.

There must be full resumption of humanitarian aid immediately, including rehabilitation of civilian infrastructure. The January 2025 ceasefire showed what can be delivered when there is political will. That level of delivery must be— now be restored in line with the comprehensive plan. We urge Israel to fulfill its commitments under international law and immediately remove unjust —justifiable restrictions on humanitarian access. It is also vital that the UN, including UNRWA, and international NGOs are able to operate safely and at scale to deliver their essential work in line with international humanitarian law. Second, we need renewed momentum on security arrangements and a political transition in Gaza. Hamas must fulfill its commitments under the comprehensive plan to decommission its weapons and dismantle military and terrorist infrastructure. The UK supports a phased and verified decommissioning process alongside deployment of an international stabilization force, training of a Palestinian police force, and a sequenced IDF withdrawal. But let me be clear. Israel's obligation to facilitate humanitarian access is not conditional on Hamas's disarmament. Humanitarian assistance must never be used as a political lever. This is one of the basic tenets of international law. Third, stability in the West Bank is essential to any lasting peace. Yet violence against civilians is increasing to unprecedented levels. We are horrified by footage of Israeli forces killing a 7-month-old baby in Hebron on the 5th of June. Israel must take action to ensure the perpetrators face accountability. Such acts of violence, alongside continued displacement and the withholding of Palestinian authority revenues of over $5 billion undermine the comprehensive plan. This must stop. President, now is the time to move decisively towards peace. Last week, alongside Australia and Canada, we announced a new international peace fund for Israel and Palestine to reinvigorate these efforts. The United Kingdom remains committed to working with partners to lay the foundations for a different future based on peaceful coexistence between two sovereign and secure states. I thank you.


Colombia · President [1:39:23]:

I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for that statement. I now give the floor to the Russian Federation.


Russian Federation [1:39:35]:

Madam President, we are grateful to the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr. Tom Fletcher for the comprehensive assessments of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. We listened attentively to the statement delivered by the humanitarian— by the civil society representative, Madame Bushra Khalidi. What we have heard confirms the obvious. In the Gaza Strip, we are talking about a deteriorating humanitarian catastrophe. The ceasefire has resulted in a lessened intensity of, of military, of hostilities and has secured the release of hostages and Some Palestinian detainees. However, the key humanitarian provisions of Security Council Resolution 2803, including the full resumption of assistance, humanitarian assistance, deliveries thereof, and distribution without intervention of the parties, protection of civilians, as well as creation of conditions for rebuilding basic infrastructure, is implemented in a piecemeal manner. The ceasefire has also not become a guarantee for the safety and security of civilians in Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, since the resumption— since the announcement of the ceasefire on October 10th, 2025, 1,005 Palestinians have died. More than 3,000 have been wounded. From June 3rd to June 10th alone, there have been reports about 39 dead and 109 the 9 wounded Palestinians. There was a high-profile murder of a Palestinian doctor from the Yaffa Hospital as a result of an airstrike targeting a police checkpoint near the al-Manfaluti School in Deir al-Balah. An additional factor of instability is the continuous westward movement of the so-called Yellow Line, which is resulting in further displacement of families and which is jeopardizing civilians who are in the gray zone. Israelis are opening— openly talking about the intention to seize control of 70% of the Strip. Such actions are imperiling the further implementation of the Trump peace plan, demonstrating the futility of attempts to pin full responsibility for the deadlocked negot— for the deadlock negotiations on the Palestinian side. We are alarmed about the plight of humanitarian medical personnel. According to OCHA, in June, 7 Palestinian Red Crescent EMTs were detained. One of these individuals has still not been released. UNICEF has also announced the deaths of 2 water tank— water tank— water truck drivers who are working under contract with the Children's Fund for water collection operations. And there's humanitarian— adequate humanitarian access is not being provided for according to OCHA. Kerem Shalom remains the sole operational entry point for approved cargo of the United Nations and humanitarian partners. The temporary closure of this point from 7 to 8 June revealed the extreme vulnerability of the entire humanitarian deliveries system, the commercial imports do not guarantee the receipt of vital goods and cannot replace humanitarian assistance under conditions when much of the population is deprived of their means for subsistence. Even after the resumption of the work of the operations of Kerem Shalom, the humanitarian convoys are encountering delays, congestion, as well as additional Inspections. A separate problem are persistent limitations on the import of critically important goods under the pretext of their being dual-use in nature. Banned items include— and these are key for survival— these banned items include those necessary for basic survival: medical equipment, tents, blankets, sleeping bags, diapers, crutches, and wheelchairs, access— Access to water and food is a daily problem for the residents of Gaza. According to OCHA, the main drinking water source for more than 70% of the population is water tank, water truck deliveries, which depend on fuel, security of roads, and financing. The food situation is also dire. Residents of Gaza on average are able to eat only 2 meals a day, and approximately 20% of these people only can eat 1 meal a day. And this means that the basic needs of people continue to be unmet, and this is an ongoing issue. And at the same time, we would note that ongoing— that the ongoing deliveries— that there are difficulties in access. And in this context, the World Food Program has reported that in May, Truck traffic to the— to Palestine has increased, and this has resulted in a slowdown in growth of prices in local markets. The situation with the healthcare situation remains critical. Not a single fully operational hospital is left standing in Gaza. There are major obstructions, and they are persistent for medical evacuations, including for oncology patients, for children, for patients with severe trauma. And against this backdrop, the spread of disease due to overcrowding is an issue, as is the shortage of drinking water due to the devastation of the health— of the sanitation infrastructure, which generates risks of further worsening of the epidemiological situation. All of this is taking place amid an acute funding shortage for humanitarian response. UN humanitarian appeal for Palestine of $4.1 billion is only 15% financed. In practice, this means that partners need to cut down even vitally necessary services. The main victims here are children. This environment, the environment which is necessary for children to have normal lives and to develop normally, has been devastated in Russia. Russia. We are not only talking about the well-being of children today. More than 637,000 schoolchildren have been stripped of access to education for the third consecutive year. More than 90% of schools have been destroyed or are not safe for occupancy. An entire population has been denied both their present and their future. The UN— the OCHA Humanitarian Situation Report UNRWA reports are difficult to read. It is hard to imagine how Palestinians are managing to surmount their day-to-day tragedies which they endure, and there is a need for urgent action. Otherwise, the current trajectory will give rise to irrevocable consequences. We stress that delivery of humanitarian assistance must not be made contingent on the fulfillment of political demands. Thank you. The delivery of humanitarian assistance is an obligation of the parties to the conflict under international humanitarian law. There's a need to provide for the immediate, full, safe, and unimpeded delivery of assistance to the Gaza Strip through all accessible roads and crossings. There's a need to lift the baseless restrictions on the import of critically important goods, including equipment for water delivery, sanitation, energy, and healthcare. There's a need to protect humanitarian and medical personnel and to cease the practice of forced displacements of population. Of particular significance is preservation of and full support for the work of UNRWA. UNRWA has for decades been the linchpin for humanitarian, educational, medical, and social support for Palestinian refugees. Attempts to expel the agency from Gaza or to replace it with temporary assistance delivery arrangements will merely exacerbate this chaos and will create additional threats to the entire region. We hope that member states will proactively participate in the UNRWA donor conference scheduled to take place in New York on 30 June. Lastly, the humanitarian crisis can only be surmounted if there is a focus on rebuilding. Progress in this direction has been elusive, including rubble clearance, the rebuilding of homes, schools, hospitals, water delivery facilities, sanitation, energy. This access to these facilities remains exceedingly limited, and there are persistent obstacles to the import of equipment and building material. An understanding has been arrived at between the United States and Iran on the parameters of a conclusive truce and normalization of relations, and we fully support this. This should release the necessary resources in order to rekindle the work of the Board of Peace, including in terms of humanitarian assistance. We have yet to see headway being made in that— direction, and the international stabilization force has not been fully put together, and nor do we see prospects for the full withdrawal of Israeli troops and the launch of rebuilding efforts. The council, as is reported by media outlets, is grappling with a financing crisis. Roadmap implementation— that of the roadmap of Mr.— the High Representative Nikolay Mladenov, unfortunately, has encountered a classic fork in the road. What needs to happen first, the withdrawal of occupation troops or the disarmament of Hamas? Without resolving this fundamental contradiction, progress is impossible. We would like to see a prompt handover of the Strip under Palestinian administration. Not only will this be a just solution, but will also help to effectively address pressing issues. At the same time, it is exceedingly important for the new administrative structure through the National Committee on Administration to not to deepen the wedge within the Palestinian ranks and not to worsen fragmentation thereof. There is a need to support humanitarian projects of the Palestinian National Administration through the 18-month plan for early recovery of Gaza, which was developed in Ramallah. This is focused on priorities, hospitals, medicines, temporary accommodation and basic infrastructure. And this can be done now without awaiting the start of operations of the Board of Peace. To conclude, we wish to emphasize that we trust that the two-state blueprint for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains on the table. Alternatives cannot guarantee a lasting peace for all peoples in the region. We We highly value the efforts undertaken by mediators through Egypt, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates. We advocate raising the profile of the League of Arab States on this track. Thank you for your attention.


Colombia · President [1:51:12]:

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation. For that statement, I now give the floor to the representative of the United States.


United States of America [1:51:27]:

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you to our briefers for this important discussion. The United States remains fully committed to working in close partnership with Israel, Arab nations, and other partners to bring peace and prosperity to the region. The United States applauds the accomplishments that the Board of Peace has made over recent months, including the steps that have already been taken to establish the Office of the High Representative, the International Stabilization Force, and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. Furthermore, we are committed to continuing all efforts to increase humanitarian assistance flowing into Gaza. As President Trump's 20-point peace plan As the peace plan clearly states, Gaza must become a de-radicalized, terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors. Once Hamas gives up its weapons, our focus will move to the redevelopment phase for the benefit of the people in Gaza who have suffered too much for too long. And as the peace plan provides, Full humanitarian aid should be sent to Gaza in cooperation with the Board of Peace. We worked with Israel as partners to reopen closed crossings, increase throughput while Iranian rockets fell, and to sustain a fragile ceasefire. Our colleagues at times worked from missile bunkers to help facilitate humanitarian assistance. [FOREIGN LANGUAGE] And we are working now every day with our Israeli and UN humanitarian partners to improve humanitarian conditions. We recognize that the needs are great and we are committed to continuing the tremendous work required to meet those needs. The United States and others have undertaken significant efforts to increase the medical evacuations from Gaza. We are pleased that the numbers are increasing, but we are determined to see them increase further. Hamas must stop exerting control over this process as yet another way to cynically leverage the suffering of the people in Gaza. We have seen the terrible health consequences of unclean water and unsanitary conditions. We have worked closely with Israel to rehabilitate the critical al-Mansourah water filling point and continue our efforts to ensure humanitarians can access it safely. Market prices have spiked in Gaza due to Iran's unlawful denial of navigational rights and freedoms through the Strait of Hormuz, which disrupted humanitarian supply chains. We took steps to stabilize market prices in Gaza for staple foods, cooking oil, and other critical goods, while simultaneously helping to expand access to the markets for families. But meeting humanitarian need is more than a logistical problem. It's not a rhetorical problem. It is a political problem. And the problem should be named by every member of the Security Council. The problem is a terrorist group that is holding the population of Gaza hostage. message, [SPEAKING ARABIC] hoping they can escape from their own commitment to disarm. Hamas is listening today. They should hear the Council tell them to implement Resolution 2803, move forward with Phase II, and agree to the disarmament plan put forward by High Representative Mladenov. We will continue to work with our partners and the Board of Peace to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance in Gaza, and secure enduring peace in the region. I thank you.


Colombia [1:55:33]:

Gracias. I thank the representative of the United States for that statement. I will now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Colombia. I thank Under-Secretary-General Fletcher for his report. I also thank Ms. Kelly Dee for her powerful testimony. I commend the initiative taken by the elected members of the Security Council to convene this urgent meeting. I also commend the almost unanimous support extended to this meeting by other Council members. More than 8 months have elapsed since the first phase of the peace plan. However, little has changed for the residents of Gaza. There, the humanitarian situation remains catastrophic. There is no need to repeat the information that has already been clearly presented by the briefers. They have borne witness to the devastating situation on the ground. Against that backdrop, I wish to make 5 points. First, the protection of civilians and humanitarian assistance that is expeditious, safe, and unfettered will not be possible for as long as violations to the ceasefire persist. In the last week, Israel has ratcheted up its attacks along the Gaza Strip in its entirety. That has produced many victims. The ceasefire must be respected. My second point. Humanitarian assistance must be governed by the principles of neutrality, independence, and humanity. The work of UNRWA and of humanitarian organizations is crucial and must not be obstructed. Israel must lift restrictions placed on the work of humanitarian partners in accordance with its obligations as occupier.


Speaker 47 [1:57:58]:

Thank you.


Colombia [1:58:00]:

Humanitarian assistance and reconstruction cannot be tied to and made conditional upon political or military criteria. My third point, as has become patently clear in recent months, we are facing increasingly diverging narratives regarding what is happening on the ground. My delegation Thanks UN agencies and recognizes the arduous work done by a group of non-governmental organizations— international NGOs, that is— including Oxfam, work that is to establish an evaluation matrix which will be able to take stock objectively of the implementation of Resolution 2803. Israel's war is It is also a war against truth. The dissemination of biased, partial information alongside the prohibition of access by the international press and the deliberate killings of more than 200 journalists in Gaza since 2023. There cannot be any fabrication of an alternative reality and preventing the international community, including this Council, from having true, verifiable information. Israel must allow the entry of the international press and protect the life, integrity, and work of journalists and humanitarian personnel across Palestinian territory, across the OPT. The international community must demand the immediate, safe release of medical and healthcare personnel, including— —Dr. The personnel from the Palestinian Red Crescent that have been abducted by the IDF and associated militias. There are people that continue to be detained or retained arbitrarily. They must be released. We appeal— we appeal for consistency. The halls of the U.N. ring out with expressions of concern regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We repudiate violations of international law by Israel. However, all too often those same countries that make these statements allow their ports to be used to send weapons to Israel, weapons that war criminals pursued by the ICC take in or allow to move through their territory. Businesses do trade with those advocating for annexation and the displacement of the Palestinian people. The genocide in Gaza has been and continues to be facilitated by the actions and oversights of the international community. Stopping that, halting that genocide is a collective responsibility. Finally, my delegation reiterates that no temporary relief can be sustainable for as long as credible good faith progress is not made with a political process, the foundation of which must be the two-state solution and work must result in a viable Palestinian state which is sovereign and contiguous within pre-1967 lines and with East Jerusalem as its capital. Thank you. [SPEAKING ARABIC] I now resume my function as the President of the Security Council. I now give the floor to the representative of the observer state of Palestine. You have the floor.


State of Palestine · Mansour [2:02:09]:

Madam President, allow me at the outset to thank the 10 elected members of the Security Council—Bahrain, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia—for requesting this emergency meeting on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, as well as China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom for supporting this request. Allow me also to thank the Presidency for convening this emergency meeting. I also wish to thank USG Fletcher for his briefing and relentless efforts. Thank you. And through him, the humanitarian community in Palestine, which has been a primary target of Israel's attacks. I want to mention two humanitarians today: Dr. Hussam Abu Safieh, who was abducted and detained by Israel and remains in solitary confinement. Confinement. And Waseem al-Maghari from the Palestine Red Crescent, who was abducted by armed militias operating in areas under Israeli control and whose fate remains unknown. We hold Israel responsible for their lives. Allow me also to thank Ms. Khalidi, Bushra Khalidi, from Oxfam, for her outstanding briefing, and through her, all civil society organizations, Palestinian and international, who continue mobilizing to address the suffering of the Palestinian population despite Israel's attacks and restrictions. Thank you. Madam President, all of us here know what needs to be done. If one to listen very closely to all of your statements, you know exactly what need to be done. We have known that for years. These demands are rooted in international law, in IHL, and obligations of the occupying power. In UN resolutions, in the provisional orders of the ICJ, and lie at the heart of the humanitarian principles and mission. The question is, are you going to act? If you know what needs to be done, you don't need an invitation to implement what you articulate in your statements and in the consensus that we listen to. We also know Israel has no intention of abiding by these rules. It has now been listed for its grave breaches against Palestinian children, for the sexual violence perpetrated against Palestinians. It has a horrific and unmatched record in the number of children killed. Thank you. UN personnel killed, humanitarian workers killed, medical personnel killed, journalists killed. And in this regard, we salute the courage and the principled position of the Secretary-General for taking these steps. It has destroyed, Israel, over 90% of buildings in Gaza. President Trump— denounced the same policy of knocking down entire buildings in Lebanon. It destroyed the hospitals and the schools and denied electricity, water, and waste management, and starved an entire civilian population. And facing criticism from its unlawful actions, it prefers to attack the critics rather than end its grave breaches. We have seen it in Israel's decision to end contacts with the UN Secretary-General a few weeks ago and today with the EU High Representative. So unfortunately, trying to reason with this Israeli government will clearly not work. Thank you. They take note of what you say and your position, and they continue breaching international law and making the life of the Palestinians the hell that we are living. Madam President, we have pushed for a ceasefire for over 2 years, and finally, President Trump and the mediators, with the support of the region, and the international community were able to secure a ceasefire after over 70,000 Palestinians were killed. Most of them were children and women. This ceasefire agreement saved countless lives. Palestinians in Gaza thought they have survived and their ordeal had come to an end. But the killing continued. Israel killed over 1,000 Palestinians since the ceasefire entered into force, including over 250 children and 120 women. Parents continued to lose their children and children continued to lose their parents. So what will be— what will be done for Israel to actually and finally cease fire. What could be done in order to implement the first item on Resolution 2803 and the 20-point action plan of President Trump? Do we have a permanent cease fire, or we have a continuous, fragile cease fire and the war is continuing according to the wishes of the leaders of Israel. The fact that we must still state the following self-evident truths illustrates the depth of this tragedy. Denying humanitarian access and manufacturing a permanent humanitarian crisis is unacceptable under any pretext. Denying medicine shelter, water, forcing families to live in makeshift tents amidst the rubble, the sewage, the garbage, and the rodents can never be justified. Collective punishment is prohibited and it should not allow at all, and those who conduct such illegal criminal behavior should be held into account.


Speaker 50 [2:09:37]:

Thank you.


State of Palestine · Mansour [2:09:40]:

There is decent temporary shelter available a couple of kilometers away from those who desperately need it. It's just on the other side of the Rafah crossing. There is life-saving aid. There is medicine. There, almost within grasp. And yet, beyond reach. If that is not engineered suffering, what is it? It is by design. It is not natural accident. It is premeditated. Madam President, a key element of Resolution 2803 was its three fundamental paragraph number 3, which states no occupation, no annexation, no displacement. Israel leaders cannot stop themselves from confessing publicly these remain their goals, starting from Netanyahu himself. Thank you. Who gleefully ordered his army to annex 70% of Gaza before a cheering audience. The humanitarian catastrophe is being prolonged to achieve these goals: displace the people and annex the land. Displace the people and annex the land. Thank you. To the land. Goals that are being pursued in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Madam President, this taunting and tormenting of 2 million Palestinians has to stop. Israel does not have a right of life and death over them, over us. Nor can they continue living in this hell until Israel feels it is enough. Everything Israel does is to make Gaza unlivable. The United States, the United Nations, third states, and third parties should not be in a constant negotiation with Israel over getting life lifesaving assistance to those who desperately need it. A negotiation in which every step forward is undermined by endless conditions, delays, and procedural obstacles. Madam President, allow me at the end to remind everyone who are speaking of 2 million people who have endured an atrocity, an atrocious assault and a genocide for 3 years, including 1 million children. Many with life-altering injuries, all having lost family members they could not mourn, all displaced, countless of them having experienced starvation, One in every four Palestinian children in Gaza is still projected to face acute malnutrition this year. Our people are being denied even the most elementary healthcare, education, access to water and sanitation. These are people We are people. These are families. These are lives. These are children. They thought they were saved. They are still barely surviving. There is no excuse for this manufactured human catastrophe. Ending it should be unconditional. Should be unconditional.


Speaker 52 [2:13:58]:

Thank you.


State of Palestine · Mansour [2:13:59]:

It is not linked to any other element of the plan, and it should not rely on the will or whims of the Israeli government, who has manufactured it in the first place. It is an international responsibility. It is your responsibility as the body of the United Nations responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is your responsibility and an international responsibility to bring it to an end and to bring it to an end now. Palestinians in Gaza have waited long enough, suffered far too much, and cannot be asked to wait any longer. Thank you, Madam President.


Colombia · President [2:14:51]:

Loy Laharassi. I thank the representative of the observer state of Palestine for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Israel. You have the floor.


Israel [2:15:11]:

Thank you, Madam President.

Mr. Fletcher, here you are again. You come to this council with your cameras, delivering dramatic briefings about Gaza. You criticize Israel, but you can barely bring yourself to mention Hamas. Why? Why? Why is it so difficult for you to say their name? I think only at the end of your speech you barely mention it. In a briefing that lasted nearly 1,500 words, you didn't have the decency to tell this council the truth about the greatest obstacle to Gaza's recovery. And you can check your speeches, Minister Mansour, and Madam President, representative from Russia, how many times you mentioned Hamas in your speeches. Nada. Zero. And you know exactly who is to blame. And Mr. Fletcher, I invite you to go back to read your interviews, your speeches, and count how many times you mention Israel and you put the blame on us, and how many times you You even mention the existence of Hamas, the problems of Hamas. Your bias is written in your own words. Madam President, assistance is needed in Gaza. Israel knows this. Israel is acting on it. But this Council must also deal with the facts. Today, some members have accused Israel of preventing humanitarian aid from flowing into Gaza. That is false. It is a lie. Israel is coordinating the entry of 600 trucks a day into Gaza under the existing agreements. Between 70% and 80% of those trucks carry food. More than 22,000 pallets of water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies have come into Gaza, including dual use that you mention. Since the ceasefire began, 16,500 tons of medical supplies have been delivered. Through coordination with the United Arab Emirates, equipment was also delivered for the new Emirati clinic in Khan Younis. This clinic is expected to treat more than 500 Palestinians a day. Thank you. Just yesterday, additional humanitarian convoys carried hundreds of tents and mattresses into Gaza. These are not the facts of a country blocking aid. These are the facts of Israel facilitating aid while trying to stop Hamas from exploiting it. There is another fact that this Council must confront. In recent months, the volume of aid brought in by UN agencies has declined dramatically. Today, the UN, they are responsible for less than a third of the trucks entering Gaza. The rest are private sector commercial trucks. Why is that? Not because Israel blocked them. Or we're telling the UN not to bring more aid? The international organizations themselves have pointed to us that they have their own operational constraints, like rising transport and logistic costs. So do not blame Israel for problems that are not our fault. Some members of this Council have pointed to temporary disruptions at crossings as evidence that Israel is restricting humanitarian aid. That is simply not the case. When Israel is— temporarily restricts activity at a specific crossing, it does so because of real security concerns. We are doing everything possible to ensure that humanitarian routes remain humanitarian routes and are not exploited by terrorists. Thank you. That is not opposition to aid. It is just common sense. And that's why we continue to open the checkpoints. We have also heard criticism that Israel restricts international NGOs. So let me answer that directly. We ask the NGOs to register. Most of them did. Most of the aid comes through these NGOs. And we— Israel welcomes legitimate humanitarian organizations. Every day we are working productively with over 30 of them. But we will not give a free pass to organizations that shelter terrorists behind a humanitarian logo. Look at what happened this week at this building. UNRWA fired 70 employees in Gaza. Thank you. 70 in one day. UNRWA said that these missiles were necessary to, and I quote, "mitigate safety and security risks." Safety and security risks. I ask you, Mr. Fletcher, maybe you can explain to us. It's not clear where these employees Fired because they were not working hard enough? Were they fired because they were not meeting their targets? Or were they fired because there is terrorist infiltration inside UNRWA that can no longer be denied? USAID identified more than 100 UNRWA employees with ties to Hamas. Hamas. UNRWA fired only 70. What happened to the rest? Are they still employed? Are they still operating under the UN flag, working for Hamas? For years, we warned this Council that Hamas has infiltrated humanitarian institutions in Gaza. For years, we were told there was no problem. Israel will continue to work with humanitarian organizations that deliver aid to civilians. But we will not cooperate with organizations that allow terrorists to hide behind a humanitarian logo. Council members, Hamas wants this debate to stay frozen on aid, and it worked. Look, all of you focused on the aid. Not because they care about Gazans, because Hamas is using aid to escape international pressure. Hamas wants this council to talk about trucks but not weapons, crossings but not tunnels, about us, about Israel, but not Hamas. Why? Because they know the truth. Reconstruction in Gaza cannot begin while they remain armed. If Hamas is still collecting taxes, terrorizing Gazans, and using the ceasefire to rebuild its power, then Gaza cannot recover. Madam President, Hamas says Israel has not implemented Phase 1 of Trump's 20-point peace plan. That is another lie. Hamas says Israel is violating the ceasefire. That is a lie. When Hamas violates the ceasefire, Israel acts to protect itself. Hamas says Israel must withdraw first before Hamas disarms. That is also a lie. And I heard the representative from Russia, the different one who spoke before me, and she said, "It doesn't matter the sequence." It matters. It matters because there is a resolution of the Security Council. There is an agreement. And there is the plan of President Trump, the 20-point plan. That was adopted by the Security Council Resolution 2803. Maybe you forgot about it. We didn't forget about it. And here is the resolution. And let me remind you what this council adopted on the 17th of November last year. It says, and let me quote directly, that Hamas and other armed groups will have no, no role in the governance of Gaza directly, indirectly; that Hamas's military and terror infrastructure will be destroyed and not rebuilt; that its weapons will be placed permanently beyond use; that IDF withdrawal is linked to standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization. That is a sentence Hamas wants you to ignore. Withdrawal is linked to demilitarization, not before, not instead. That is not something that Israel has just made up. That is a text you adopted. That is a condition for Phase 2. Last month, Mr. Maladonov came to this Council and urged this Council, and I quote him, to use every means at its disposal to urge Hamas to accept the roadmap without further delay. It didn't ask you to urge Israel, to urge Hamas, because we are complying with the agreement. The roadmap exists. The obstacle is Hamas. The question is whether this council is prepared to pressure Hamas to accept it. Thank you. To members of this Council who are repeating Hamas propaganda, ignoring the Board of Peace report and blaming Israel: wake up. Do not let Hamas write your talking points. Now is the test. Because when the resolution was adopted, you all spoke about it. But now is the time to enforce it. Resolution 2803 was adopted with 13 votes in favor and not a single vote against. The United States supported it. European countries supported it. Many other countries, Arab and Muslim partners supported the plan. This very Council endorsed it. So if this Council cannot demand that a terrorist organization comply with its own resolution, then what is the value of the debate? If Hamas refuses to disarm and still receives political cover here in this room, then diplomacy is meaningless. Not weakened, not delayed, just meaningless. Thank you, Madam President.


Colombia · President [2:26:45]:

I thank the representative of Israel for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Saudi Arabia. You have the floor.


Saudi Arabia · Arab Group [2:27:03]:

Thank you, Madam President. At the outset, I'd like to express our appreciation to you, Madam, for your prompt response to our request— to the request to hold this emergency session on the situation in Palestine. We also value and thank the states who have requested that this meeting be held. We express our thanks and appreciation to the two speakers, and I am honored to deliver this statement on behalf of the Arab Group. Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the Arab Group confirms that the question of Palestine is the heart of the conflict in the Middle East. The achievement of a just and comprehensive and lasting peace will only be possible with the— through ending the Israeli occupation of the occupied Palestinian territories so that the Palestinian people are able to enjoy their legitimate and inalienable rights, at the forefront of which is the right to self-determination and an independent and sovereign state on the fore-June 1967 borders. Thank you. With East Jerusalem as its capital. The Arab Group expresses its extreme concern over the continued serious Israeli violations being perpetrated in the occupied Palestinian territories, including the targeting of civilians and the expansion of settlements, confiscation of lands, demolition of homes, displacing residents, and annexing— Annexing. Palestinian Territory, which is a threat to international peace and security and to stability in the region. The Arab Group reiterates its absolute rejection of all Israeli measures and statements that aim to entrench the occupation or impose sovereignty on any part of the occupied Palestinian Territories. These measures are null and void and have no legal effect. Thank you. They are a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter and relevant resolutions of the Security Council, especially Resolution 2334. The Arab Group also reiterates the need to respect the legal obligations arising from the ICG opinion on the occupied Palestinian territories in a manner that would enhance respect for international law and confirms the need to end the Israeli occupation. The Arab Group welcomes the international and regional efforts to end the war in the Gaza Strip and arrive at a permanent ceasefire there, including efforts made by the United States of America in cooperation with regional and international partners so as to implement Security Council Resolution number— 2334. 28/03. The resolution aims to confirm the ceasefire in Gaza and rebuild it. It is important to build upon these efforts to arrive at a comprehensive and sustainable plan that would lead to an end of the occupation conflict, guarantee the protection of civilians, and launch a serious political track that is also credible and would remedy the root causes of the conflict and lead to a two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions. The Arab Group reiterates the need to respect the ceasefire, and the Arab Group condemns the continued massacres against the Palestinian people. The Arab Group demands the immediate and safe and sustainable access be given to humanitarian aid throughout Gaza. The Arab Group rejects all measures that hinder the delivery of aid or that use it as a means of political pressure, which constitutes a collective punishment of Palestinian civilians. The Arab Group calls upon the international community to enhance its support for relief and humanitarian efforts and to allow United Nations agencies, including UNRWA and humanitarian agencies, to allow them to perform their vital tasks to meet the ever-increasing needs of Palestinian civilians. The Arab Group condemns Israeli statements and policies that aim to annex large parts of the Gaza Strip and displace Palestinian residents in a manner that is a clear violation of President Trump's plan and Security Council Resolutions 2803 and 2334. Thank you. Before, and is a blatant violation of international law. Madam President, the Arab Group reaffirms the legal and historic status of Jerusalem, Al-Quds, as an inseparable part of the occupied Palestinian territories, occupied since 1967. We reject all attempts that aim to change the nature of the city or its demography or its legal and historic status. Moreover, the Arab Group reiterates the need to maintain the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites, and the need to put an end to all provocative measures and violations that target the sanctity of holy sites and threaten to cause more tension in the region.


Speaker 58 [2:32:32]:

Thank you.


Saudi Arabia · Arab Group [2:32:34]:

[MUSIC] Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the continued Israeli occupation and policies of settlements and annexation and military escalation only deepen and entrench the suffering of the Palestinian people and undermine the chances for peace. Therefore, the Arab Group calls upon the Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities as per the UN Charter and take the necessary measures to guarantee respect for international law and the implementation of its relevant resolutions and decisions. We call upon the international community to double its efforts to put an end to the Israeli occupation, to put a stop to all illegal unilateral measures, and to support the Palestinian people's legitimate rights in a manner that would achieve security and stability and prosperity for the peoples of the entire region. In closing, The Arab Group reiterates that the two-state solution, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and Arab Peace Initiative and the New York Declaration, is the only path to achieve a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in a manner that would guarantee the independence of the State of Palestine, a state that has sovereignty on the 4 June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with all of the countries in the region in security and in peace. I thank you, Madam President.


Colombia · President [2:34:05]:

I thank the representative of Saudi Arabia for that statement. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The meeting is adjourned.