The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question - Security Council, 9846th meeting
Security Council
Date: 23 January 2025
Language: English
Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/es/sc/9846?lang=en
Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations.

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Algeria · President of the Security Council [0:02]:

The 9846th 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 Provisional Rules of Procedure, the presidency of the Security Council invites the representative of Egypt and Israel to participate in this meeting. 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 the meeting, in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure and the previous practice in this regard. There is no objection. It's 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. Bisan Natil, Tamer Institute for Community Education. It is so decided. The representative of the Russian Federation has asked for the floor to make a statement. I give them the floor.


Russian Federation [2:38]:

Mr. President, we have just approved the list of briefers for this meeting. I'd like to draw your attention to the fact that Ms. Catherine Russell, the Executive Director of UNICEF, is absent from that list. Her participation was requested by our delegation and supported by the Algerian presidency. We are grateful to you, Mr. President, for your efforts and the efforts of your delegation undertaken, as far as we know, to convince Ms. Russell to brief us. However, she refused to do so. As far as we can tell, she used a thought-up pretext for doing so without putting forward any weighty arguments for her refusal. Similarly, almost mythically, other representatives of UNICEF's leadership were also unavailable. The refusal of UNICEF's head to brief the Security Council about the horrific tragedy linked to the death of tens of thousands of children in Gaza is a flagrant step which deserves our most serious censure. I'd like to remind you that Ms. Russell, during the US presidency of the Security Council, came to brief us at the drop of a hat at a disgraceful, politicized briefing about the so-called children's aspects of the situation in Ukraine on the 4th of December of last year. So it would appear that for UNICEF, children in Gaza are less important than children in Ukraine. Otherwise, how can we explain the fact that UNICEF deems it unnecessary to brief the Security Council about the situation surrounding these children, which, by the way, is the mandated activity of the Fund? Clearly, the fate of these children is of no concern neither to Ms. Catherine Russell nor to the US, of which she is a national. After all, the US presidency, despite our numerous calls, never did convene a Security Council meeting on children in Gaza in December of last year. Clearly, our US colleagues are uncomfortable commenting the situation surrounding the deaths of tens of thousands of children in this trip. deaths which to a large extent they themselves provoked, casting a veto on six occasions, not letting the Security Council to intervene and stop the Israeli slaughter. And to the head of UNICEF. played along with the US on this issue. We see this as being a flagrant violation of Article 100 of the UN Charter. Ms. Russell, in this situation, was behaving as a US citizen, not an impartial UN staffer. We're grateful to Mr. Fletcher, who, despite his very busy schedule, in contrast to Ms. Russell, found the time to attend despite receiving an invitation at the 11th hour. We value his availability, yet OCHA's mandate, in contrast to that of UNICEF, is not focused on monitoring the situation surrounding children. Therefore, Mr. Fletcher, unfortunately, cannot fully replace a briefing that Ms. Russell could have provided us with. We will be drafting a letter to the SG posthaste so that he takes measures to avoid such disgraceful situations in future. I thank you.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [5:52]:

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for the statement. The representative of the United States has asked for the floor to make a statement. I give them the floor.


United States of America [6:10]:

Thank you, Mr. President. And on behalf of the United States, I would reject the accusations put forward by the representative of the Russian Federation. I will be speaking later on behalf of my government with respect to the situation of children in armed conflict in Gaza. And the idea that the United States is responsible for the terrible suffering there is just unacceptable to us, and we reject it in its totality. Thank you, Mr. President.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [6:47]:

I thank the representative of the United States for the statement. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item 2 of the agenda. I now give the floor to Mr. Tom Fletcher. You have the floor, sir.


OCHA · USG Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator [7:17]:

Mr. President and members of the Security Council, today marks one of the rare times we're able to highlight positive developments, albeit amid catastrophic humanitarian needs in Gaza. The ceasefire has provided a vital reprieve from relentless hostilities for Palestinians. It has at last allowed Israeli hostages and imprisoned Palestinians to be reunited with their families. And it has enabled a massive surge in lifesaving humanitarian aid into Gaza. We can save more lives if all parties continue to honour the deal. So I thank the mediators, Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, for their tireless efforts to ensure this deal is upheld. I thank them for their help to mitigate operational obstacles as they arise. Before I update the Council on what humanitarians have achieved during these first few days of the ceasefire, I must testify to what Palestinian children in Gaza have endured in the past 15 months. Mr. President, children have been killed, starved, and frozen to death. They have been maimed, orphaned, separated from their family. Conservative estimates indicate that over 17,000 children are without their families in Gaza. Some died before their first breath, perishing with their mothers in childbirth. An estimated 150,000 pregnant women and new mothers are in desperate need of health services. Children have lost their schools and their education. Those with chronic illnesses have struggled to access the care they need, many unable to do so. Many have faced sexual violence. Girls who've endured the additional indignity of no menstrual care have been left exposed and vulnerable. One million children are in need of mental health and psychosocial support for depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, according to UNICEF. A generation has been traumatized. Mr. President, against the backdrop of this horror, the UN and our partners are seizing every opportunity presented by the ceasefire to step up our response across the Strip. Safe, unobstructed humanitarian access, alongside the absence of hostilities and the almost complete cessation of criminal looting over the past days, have significantly improved our ability to operate. We have been able to increase the flow of incoming supplies and deliveries, scale up storage capacity and repair work, provide lifesaving services, and carry out needs and damage assessments. We are getting supplies to designated emergency shelters and distribution centers across the Gaza Strip. We are delivering food parcels and flour and working to reopen bakeries. We are distributing fuel to ensure that critical services, healthcare, water pumping, can run on backup generators in the absence of electricity. Across the spectrum, humanitarian organizations and agencies have united to meet our humanitarian goals. At the centre of this, as always, is UNRWA. But we cannot do this alone. Surging high volumes of aid into Gaza requires a collective effort. All of Gaza, more than 2 million people, depends on our humanitarian support. So it is critical that the pipelines of stocks are regularly replenished, including by Member States. Aid efforts must urgently be complemented by the private sector. Mr. President, while we spare no effort to scale up in Gaza, we must also keep attention on the West Bank. As we briefed this Council, since October 2023, the West Bank has witnessed record high levels of casualties, displacement, and access restrictions. These trends have intensified since the announcement of the ceasefire. Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinian villages, setting homes and properties on fire. Increased movement restrictions are impeding Palestinians' ability to access basic services and livelihoods. Mass detentions are taking place across the West Bank. Of particular concern is the situation in Jenin, where an Israeli military operation, helicopter gunfire and airstrikes alongside ground forces, has claimed lives and caused further destruction of basic infrastructure and displacement. This follows the weeks-long operation by the Palestinian Authority, during which access restrictions and confrontations with armed Palestinians triggered displacement of some 2,000 families from the camp and claimed numerous lives. Mr. President, after months without hope, we must seize this present moment. So I leave you with three asks. First, I urge this Council to ensure that the ceasefire is maintained. Second, I urge this Council to ensure that international law is respected across the occupied Palestinian territory of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Civilians must be protected and their essential needs must be met. All hostages must be released. Arbitrarily detained Palestinians must be freed. Detainees must be treated humanely and allowed visits by the ICRC. Civilians must be allowed to return safely to their homes. They must be able to access life-saving aid. This includes medical evacuations for the wounded and sick who need it. I urge Member States to take in those patients. We need rapid, unimpeded and safe access for the humanitarian community to be sustained. We can deliver when we are given the chance to do so. UNRWA's role is fundamental and must remain the backbone of these efforts. Restrictions on critical humanitarian items must be lifted, including items considered to be dual use. There must be accountability. for atrocities in accordance with international humanitarian law. And third and finally, Member States must ensure that our humanitarian operations are well funded. Our 2025 flash appeal requires $4.07 billion to meet the needs of 3 million people in Gaza and the West Bank, with nearly 90% of funds for Gaza. Funding this appeal is essential to meet massive needs and to sustain the ceasefire. Mr. President, the children of Gaza are not collateral damage. They are as deserving as children everywhere of security, education, and hope. They tell us that the world was not there for them throughout this war. We must be there for them now. Thank you.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [15:25]:

I thank Mr. Fletcher for his briefing, and I now give the floor to Ms. Bissan Nattil. You have the floor, madam. Do you hear me, Madame Natil?


Briefer [15:56]:

Yeah.

Yes, I am.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [16:09]:

Yes, we hear you.


Briefer [16:15]:

Again, please.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [16:22]:

Please go ahead.


Briefer [16:28]:

Please, go ahead. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, members of the Security Council, at the outset, I would like to thank you for inviting me to participate in this meeting. To tell you more about the image that you have already seen in media, the image of children who have lost their limbs, their families, the image of our displacement and our no return to our homes, the image of us losing our homes. the image of violation of all human rights of all civilians in Gaza Strip. At the outset, I would like to tell you that the war will change our life to that extent. Yet, suddenly, we started losing our homes. We were told, go to the safe place in South Gaza. We moved because the message was to the civilians. We went to the south, yet once we arrived and put our luggage, the home we were close to has been attacked. This was the place, claimed to be safe place. I missed introducing myself. I work with Tamer Institution. We give the children the chance through some artistic activities to express themselves and we provide them with safe environment, free environment. Yet we lost this environment, this safety. We do not have schools or a playground. Everything has turned into shelters and tents. We tried to express our dreams. The children were telling us their dreams. They were dreaming of going back to their schools, not hearing the sounds of the shelling. dreaming of finding food, drink, very simple dreams. The basic necessities of life, just to eat and drink, and to go to my school and go back to play with my friend. Our children have experienced serious life threats. They could not grasp the nature of these threats. They experienced the loss of home, family and displacement through the so-called safe corridor. Their life was under threat in this safe corridor. They were forced to open their eyes and see the bodies along the road. They were forced to walk while the snipers are targeting them. We saw how they arrived unable to say a word about the horrific scene they have seen in their displacement journey. And when they reach the safe area, they are targeted. Through our work in Tamr institution, through these activities to express them, to help them express their dreams, we have A stream called the Dream of Return. This is Ghazi, one of the child from Al-Nawase. Al-Nawase is one of the areas claimed to be safe. When he was around, he drew home, drew school, drew toys. I will show you his artwork. I hope you could see it. Ghazi used to draw his father and drew himself feeling full, well fed. But Ghazi could not transfer this image to the canvas because he was attacked in the tent. He and his father both lost their lives. The same applies to many other children who have been killed, experienced violence, they lost their families, homes, schools. Layan, one of the little girls in North Gaza, I will never forget this girl. Layan was in a shelter along with her family. This shelter was surrounded by the soldiers, the place was attacked and the wife of her aunt was killed in this shelter and turned into pieces and they were forced to collect the pieces to bury it. she was forced to open her eyes and see that until she and her family until they reach Salaheddin and then the middle area. Can you imagine a 12 year old girl walks long distance after these scenes of horror, violence, killing and displacement to go through all these psychological suffering? Can you imagine what would happen to her? All our children lost the true meanings of life, safety, security, what it means to eat, to live, to be a human. And I will never forget that throughout all this, the radio Because we have lost all means of communication, as you see, I do not have even electricity supply, and I'm trying my best to stay in touch with the world. We had this radio at the beginning of the war that we have been listening through it to Al Jazeera, CNN, the Hebrew channel, Al Arabiya, and we used to wait for the Security Council meetings to see what would be said in the Security Council. Would the Security Council reach a ceasefire? Would the massacre come to an end? Would the death come to an end? While my friend and colleague, Mohammed Sami Krayka, the artist, when he was in Al-Ma'madani Hospital, he was just singing and drawing with the children. He was in a hospital, Al-Ma'madani Hospital, one of the most important places in Gaza, we used to consider it a safe place. He was playing and singing and drawing with the children in this hospital. He and the children have been all killed in the Al-Mahboudani massacre. You can look it up. And you know all other incidents in Al-Shifa and in other hospitals. and safe hospitals. Despite the fact that every day we lost our friends, our loved ones, our homes, our lives. We used to walk down the streets not knowing if we remain alive or die. We slept under the horrific sound of the drones and shelling. We didn't know if we were alive, dead, dreaming, or is it our life? Yet, we have always been waiting for the moment when the Security Council will announce a ceasefire to end all these massacres and violations against the Palestinians in Gaza. Today, I hope. to live the ceasefire and for our children to go back to their schools and for us to go back to our normal life when we used to go to our schools, to our work, when we used to play, plant, work, the natural act of life, just to live. And I have always been thinking of the human rights. We studied in school a subject called human rights. And the first right we learned was the right to life. And the first right that was violated was our right to life. At any moment, I could be the one who survived after one year and a half of the war. 470 days of the war. We lost count of the days as we lost sense of time as a result of the war. 470 days. In every moment, we never knew if we would live to the next moment or not. Would we breathe or not? Would we eat and drink or would we die your Excellency the president of the Security Council your excellencies I hope after 470 days of continuous attack against Gaza and against us this attack would come to an end and we would go back to our normal life to restore our right to life and to have at least the basic necessities, safety, security, for the children to go back to their schools, to their life as children, to play, to draw, to sing, a normal child who lives in a normal environment, not the one who moves surrounded by soldiers, hearing weapons, and that we see in Gaza wouldn't to live a normal life. In Gaza, we don't know how life looks like out in the outside world. I know we have lost a lot in this war, and I hope we would not lose more. Thank you all.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [28:43]:

I thank Mrs. Bissan Nattil for her sobering briefing. I now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements. I give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.


Russian Federation [29:15]:

Mr. President, we'd like to thank you for convening today's Council meeting. supported by Algeria in a national capacity, as well as by Pakistan and Somalia, the objective being to discuss the disastrous situation of children in Gaza. We are grateful to Mr. Fletcher for taking up our invitation and participating in this briefing. We are also grateful to Ms. Bissan Nattil, thanks to whom we heard a story about the tragic pages in the history of the lives of Palestinian children. Mr. President, the vile war in Gaza, involving the most intensive bombardment of civilians since World War II, and with its de facto absence of humanitarian access, has run roughshod over the lives of children in the enclave. Back in November of 2023, the Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres called Gaza a graveyard of children. An assessment of the horrific consequences of massive attacks on civilians was issued by a number of Security Council members during the informal visit to the Rafah crossing in December of 2023. And back then, already in Egypt, we saw a hospital on the border with Gaza, and there already we saw maimed children. Thanks to the efforts of Egyptian and Qatari mediators, who at a late stage were joined by representatives of the new U.S. administration, at last an agreement was reached. The agreement calls not only for a ceasefire, but also for an increase in the volumes of foodstuffs, fuel, and medicine supplied to the residents of Gaza. However, there is little cause for celebration so far. The humanitarian catastrophe raging in the enclave for over 15 months now hasn't gone away. What remains beyond the purview of the agreement are safe and unimpeded deliveries of assistance using all routes and insufficient quantities. Israel's military presence in the enclave continues. The Israeli military maintains, for instance, control over the border crossing in Rafah. As far as we understand, European monitors will be tracking the use of that crossing, thus assuming part of the responsibility for the humanitarian situation in Gaza. It's noteworthy that Europeans... who very much like to cast themselves as defenders of human rights, are not calling for those who are killing children in Gaza to be brought to justice. In fact, a number of Europeans haven't even stopped supplying weapons to Israel. The war in Gaza has truly become a litmus test, which has showed up the West's true approach to the defense of human rights. As things stand, we do not have definitive data about the number of boys and girls who have perished, because organizations working in the field cannot collect quickly enough mortality data that is not linked to wounds, but rather mortality as a result of hunger, dehydration, poor sanitation, or disruption to the work of the health sector. Collapsed buildings have not been cleared. Under the rubble, there might be thousands of bodies. Nonetheless, thanks to a recent study published by The Lancet, we do know that out of the 28,257 deaths which occurred between the 7th of October 2023 to the 30th of June 2024, for which there is age and sex data, of those 28,257, 16,699, that's roughly 59%, are women, children, and the elderly. According to UNICEF, the overall number of deaths, children's deaths since the start of the conflict is at least 14 and a half thousand. Over 17,000, roughly 17,000, are unaccompanied minors or children who have been separated from their parents. Roughly 1 million children were compelled to leave their homes. In the first seven days of this year alone, 74 children died. In late December, early January, eight infants in tent camps died as a result of hypothermia. Many children were also maimed in 2024 as a result of explosive weapons being used in the Gaza Strip. On average, 475 children a month, that's 15 children a day, became disabled. receiving serious injuries to their limbs or hearing problems. According to UNMAS, the UN Mine Action Service, if the war were to end today, the risk of death and being maimed for children in Gaza would remain for at least 14 years. That's how long it will take to clear the enclave of unexploded ordnance. Is it worth mentioning the fact that children always were and remain the main victims of mine contamination, in part owing to children's natural curiosity? Today we will celebrate International Day of Education. The world over, people will be talking about the fact that education is a key component of sustainable development, that everyone has a right to education. In this Palestinian enclave, in the first week of 2025 alone, schools which people are now using into alia as shelters, five attacks were waged on such schools. As a result, dozens of children suffered, at least three died. Gaza's education system has been paralyzed for a long time now. Assessments of the damage and destruction done to schooling facilities vary. including up, according to some assessments, it's up to 96% as of September 2024 and up to 100% in the north of Gaza as of December 2024. That's how many schools have been destroyed or damaged. And we're not talking about minor damage. Ceilings have collapsed. There are holes in the walls of school buildings. 625,000 students have missed an entire school year, and now they're being compelled to miss another one. It will be a miracle if these children will be able to return to school at some point. The health care situation has also been decimated, which has had negative repercussions on children's access to medical services. According to an OHCHR report issued on the 31st of December, Well, that report contained a confirmation of the fact that attacks on medical facilities in Gaza have been systematic and structured. By June of 2024, 22 out of 38 hospitals had stopped operating. According to WHO data, only 38% of primary healthcare centers are functional. Under such conditions, what has again proven to be irreplaceable and unique is UNRWA. UNRWA's activities in the occupied Palestinian territory is under risk of being banned owing to the laws adopted by the Knesset. These decisions are not only in violation of international humanitarian law, they also violate the 1946 Convention on Privileges and Immunities of UN Personnel. and in fact it is the Secretary General of the United Nations who is the guarantor of the implementation of this convention. Such decisions are also at odds with the relevant UNGA decisions as well as the conditions for Israel's membership in the UN since 1949. That is the implementation of two flagship UNGA resolutions, resolution 181, the partition plan of Palestine in 194 about Palestine refugees. For over 70 years, UNRWA staff have worked under inhumane conditions, often risking their lives, to implement the agency's mandate, which includes the provision of educational, healthcare, social, microfinancing, and emergency assistance services to Palestinians in need. The mandate also includes the improvement of infrastructure and the living conditions of refugees in camps. For the last 15 months, over the course of the last 15 months, 265 UNRWA personnel have died. This is a record loss of UN staff in the entire history of the organization. The stoppage of UNRWA's work would have catastrophic consequences for the most vulnerable groups, first and foremost children. We simply cannot allow that to happen under such conditions. The ceasefire should be used to urgently scale up humanitarian assistance to the region, placing the emphasis on the particular needs of children. Aside from efforts aimed at rebuilding infrastructure, delivering food and medicine, we also need to ensure unimpeded evacuation from the enclave of children who require specialized assistance. they should be evacuated together with their parents or guardians, as well as granted an impeded return home. Another component of the agreement that was reached is an exchange of all detainees, among which there are children. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. The issue of arbitrary detentions by the Israeli authorities of Palestinian children existed long before the events of 7th October 2023. They were subjected to so-called administrative detention, just like adults. As a result, they ended up behind bars for unspecified periods of time without being charged with anything. We shouldn't forget about repeat detention of minors who were released following a similar deal reached in November of 2023. The war in Gaza has not only disfigured the fates of children and adults, it has also torn apart the fabric of society, delaying until further notice the start of genuine peaceful coexistence of the two peoples. Even those children in Gaza who were lucky enough to remain alive, to not be disabled, they will also need years in order to fix their psychiatric health and to learn to live like their peers are living in other regions not affected by conflict. Another acute issue is Palestinian orphans, of which there are over 20,000. What does fate have in store for them? What can the UN do to ensure that the lives of these children are not broken? Sustainable stabilization of the situation in Gaza is the only option. There is no alternative if we want to secure the future of Palestinian children and thus of the Palestinian people as a whole. We believe that the Security Council is simply duty-bound to keep this issue children front of mind in the context of the situation in Gaza. I thank you.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [40:50]:

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for the statement. And I now give the floor to the representative of the United States.


United States of America [41:05]:

Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you, Under Secretary General Tom Fletcher, for your briefing, and to Ms. Bisson-Nettle for your moving remarks. Colleagues, a ceasefire and hostage release deal were long overdue. The United States, Qatar, and Egypt-led mediation finally led to an agreement to end the conflict Hamas set into motion on October 7, 2023. The deal halted the fighting in Gaza, and it will reunite all of the remaining hostages with their families and will surge much needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians. We remind this Council that Hamas still holds two children hostage, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, who were violently taken from their home on October 7th. Two-year-old Kfir has marked both of his birthdays in Hamas captivity. Since Hamas's barbaric attack started this conflict over 15 months ago, the suffering of Palestinian civilians, the deaths and the injuries and the displacement has been immense. The suffering extends to Gaza's youngest victims, the Palestinian children who were caught in the crossfire, lost family, missed school. No one benefits from this crisis. Now is the time to ensure critical aid reaches those in need throughout Gaza in accordance with the ceasefire deal the United States, Qatar, and Egypt secured. We urge countries to support this effort through additional funding and resources to help quickly scale up much needed humanitarian need -- humanitarian aid. We must ensure that Hamas is not permitted to seize, divert, or profit from this assistance, and that if it does so, it is reported immediately. Hamas cannot be allowed to reconstitute. Hamas should have no role in the governance of Gaza. It should not be rewarded for having launched the brutal attack that started this conflict or for its deplorable behavior in the interim. We must instead seize this opportunity to reshape the region in a way that affords its people a path forward. Gaza must be demilitarized for the sake of Israel's security and to provide a brighter future for the Palestinian people. Hamas, along with its benefactors in Tehran, should not have a say in the region's future. We have already seen Hamas weaponize the suffering of Palestinians. by using civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, to store caches of weapons, house fighters, and coordinate attacks against Israel. We are concerned about reports that Hamas held returned Israeli hostages in UN shelters in Gaza during their prolonged captivity. It is vital for a full investigation to assess these very serious allegations. At the same time, Hamas plays the victim and makes false appeals to the international community on behalf of Palestinians, while at the same time employing tactics that put them in danger. Israelis need to feel secure within their own borders, and Palestinians deserve a future to look forward to with freedom, dignity, and security. We must work together to counter the nefarious influence of Tehran and its terrorist proxies whose actions have destabilized the Middle East for decades. We can instead work with like-minded partners to create a Middle East that is more integrated, prosperous, and peaceful. The United States is strongly committed to implementing the ceasefire agreement so that hostages can return home and the people of Gaza can look forward to a brighter future under new leadership. This is the only path forward. I thank you.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [45:27]:

I thank the representative of the United States for the statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of China.


China [45:39]:

President, I thank US Chief Fletcher and Ms. Natchil for their briefings. Children are the greatest victims of armed conflict. During the 15-month-long Gaza conflict, at least 17,000 Palestinian children have been killed, with more than 600,000 plunged into an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. Those children who should have been sitting in the classrooms learning with books in their hands had instead found themselves facing forced displacement again and again and huddling under the rubble to seek shelter from the bombardment. Scenes of children dying in front of their family and images of children reduced to skin and bones due to malnutrition have broken our heart. All this should have never happened and must not be allowed to continue. The international community must act to put an end to the suffering of the children of Gaza. First, a durable ceasefire in Gaza. Once the ceasefire that began on January 19 has been fulfilled, there must be no resumption of fighting and children must not once again be put under gunpoint or subjected to gunfire. The current ceasefire should form the basis for a permanent ceasefire rather than a pause before a new round of offensive. We are gravely concerned about reports that children were shot and killed by Israeli forces in Rafah the day after the ceasefire came into effect. We strongly call for the continuous and full implementation of the three-phase ceasefire agreement. Second, expand humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Children in Gaza have long been deprived of the basic necessities for survival such as food and medicine and there are even cases of newborn babies being frozen to death we call on Israel to fulfill its obligation under the international humanitarian law as the occupying power by opening all border crossings lifting restrictions on entry of goods and guaranteeing large scale access of humanitarian supplies into Gaza under their safe and orderly distribution we call on the International Community scale up their assistance to Gaza Third, guaranteeing education for children in Gaza. Education is indispensable for the healthy development of children. 15 months of indiscriminate bombing have obliterated the conditions of living in Gaza. with education being completely disrupted. The international community should support the expeditious commencement of reconstruction in Gaza to restore people's livelihoods and provide children with a healthy environment in which to grow up. For years, UNRWA has been providing basic public services such as education in Gaza. and as such, has the capacity and should play a major role in the post-war reconstruction of Gaza. We once again call on Israel to cease its suppression of the agency and to repeal the relevant bill as soon as possible. Fourth, accountability for violations against children. Protection of civilians in armed conflict is an obligation under international law, and not targeting children even more so. The Security Council resolution has clearly identified six grave violations against children as prohibited actions. However, large amount of reporting has shown that children in Gaza have suffered grave violations during the conflict. And the annual report of the Secretary-General has also listed relevant perpetrators. We call for investigations and accountability for all violations against children in all conflicts and support the continued focus on the children of Gaza by the Council's Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. President. The fundamental approach to allow Palestinian children to grow up in a safe and healthy environment is through the implementation of the two-state solution and the realization of a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine. The international community must act with an utmost sense of urgency to promote the restart of the political process for the two-state solution. China is ready to continue to make unremitting efforts with all parties to promote an early realization of peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel and a lasting peace and security in the Middle East. so that the children of both Palestine and Israel can be free from the horrors of war and grow up freely under the sunshine of peace. Thank you, President.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [50:14]:

I thank the representative of China for the statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of Panama.


Panama [50:23]:

Mr. President, Panama welcomes the convening of this meeting. in response to the request made by the Russian Federation, Algeria, Pakistan, and Somalia to address the situation of the children in the Gaza Strip under the agenda item, Children and Armed Conflict. We thank the briefers, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher; Ms. Bisan Natil of the Tamer Institute for Community Education. We thank them for their invaluable briefings. Moreover, we welcome the delegations of Egypt, Israel, and the observer state of Palestine to this meeting. We here would like to convey our gratitude to the humanitarian agencies who, in bitterly difficult conditions, work tirelessly to protect and guarantee the well-being of the communities most affected by the conflict. The recent ceasefire between Hamas and Israel offers an admirable opportunity to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. However, UN reports are clear. More than 14,500 Palestinian children have lost their lives. Another 25,000 are wounded, and around 1 million have been displaced. We bitterly regret the loss of these innocent lives. According to UNICEF, approximately 88 percent of schools in Gaza require total reconstruction or significant repairs. Their current state of disrepair is affecting more than 625,000 students. Moreover, only 25 percent of drinking water production facilities are operational. That has caused cases of waterborne illnesses to skyrocket. Healthcare infrastructure has also suffered severe damage. Myriad hospitals are no longer functional, and that has worsened the public health crisis. Panama once again condemns the abduction of Israeli children by Hamas. That was an inhumane act, which constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law. These children have been used as bargaining chips. in a cruel and unacceptable strategy. It is with deep regret that we, in this conflict as in so many other armed conflicts, decry the tragic loss of young life. all young life, and we reaffirm that the protection of children should be comprehensive and without exception. We urge this Council to continue always to champion efforts which guarantee that all children receive the care and protection they deserve. Against this backdrop, Panama welcomes the adoption of resolution 2764 of the Security Council. It was adopted in December. The resolution reaffirms the obligation that all parties have to uphold international humanitarian law, in particular the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Moreover, we recall the importance of adhering to the provisions of resolutions 1612, 1882, 2225 and 2601 adopted by this Council. These resolutions have established a robust framework for the protection of children in armed conflicts. Faced with the alarming situation of children in Gaza, which can in no way be justified, Panama proposes the following actions as priorities in order to meet their most pressing needs: 1. Guarantee unfettered humanitarian access through the sustained and efficient opening of crossing points. in order to allow the safe and unimpeded delivery of essential commodities, including water, food, medicines, and fuel. It's also fundamental to guarantee the safety of humanitarian personnel on the ground. The process already underway, fortunately, to ensure the daily arrival of at least 500 trucks is pivotal in order to meet the urgent needs of the people affected. to protect children effectively, this through the implementation of mechanisms which safeguard their lives and well-being, mechanisms which ensure their access to health care, safe harbor and psychosocial assistance. Rehabilitation programs must begin as a matter of urgency and must adopt a comprehensive approach an approach which includes both physical and mental health care for children. It is estimated that around 17,000 children have been separated from their families in Gaza and require immediate specialized assistance. 3. rebuild as a matter of urgency critical infrastructure. Efforts should even more urgently focus on restoring schools, hospitals and water systems in order to guarantee safe and enabling environments for children's development. Investment in education is clear to avoid losing a generation, bearing in mind that 496 schools have been damaged or destroyed. The effective coordination of these efforts will allow children to resume their education and restore their access to core services, and that will allow them to move towards a future of hope. Four, we should decisively support UN agencies, specifically UNICEF and UNRWA, whose role has been crucial in delivering humanitarian assistance to Gaza and must continue to be so. The current situation of UNRWA, with the agency facing operational restrictions and critical funding shortfalls, imperils the delivery of essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees. Panama underscores the fact that we must guarantee the safety of UNRWA personnel. We must ensure respect for their international mandate and provide the necessary financing to allow them to continue playing their crucial role in the region. Mr. President, The crisis in Gaza stands as an urgent reminder of our collective responsibility towards the most vulnerable. cannot allow indifference or political differences to stymie efforts to protect the children trapped in this conflict. Children traumatized by war cannot continue paying the price of inaction. With every day that passes without a solution being found, the suffering of the children increases. and their dreams of a safe future fade, let us act with courage, humanity, and resolve in order to ensure that the world does not forget the faces of these children, nor the duty that we all have towards them. We cannot change the past, but we can and we must decide the future that we want to build for them. Thank you.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [58:20]:

I thank the representative of Panama for the statement and I now give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom.


United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [58:33]:

Thank you, President. I thank USG Fletcher and Ms. Natil for their briefing and I welcome the participation of the observer state of Palestine, Israel and Egypt in this meeting. Let me make three points. First, Following the terror attacks of 7 October and 15 months of appalling conflict, we stand with Palestinians and Israelis in relief and hope that the ceasefire and hostage release deal can bring lasting peace. The children of Gaza did not choose this war, yet they have paid the ultimate price. A third of identified bodies are children. At least 21,500 children are thought to have sustained injuries. And in the last four months of 2024, nearly 19,000 children were hospitalized with acute malnutrition. Gaza has become the deadliest place in the world to be a child. The psychological scars of fear, pain, and deprivation are clear. Nearly half the Palestinian children surveyed by one NGO in late 2024 expressed a desire to die. That is a truly shocking statistic. We must ensure that the needs of children are front and centre of efforts to rebuild in Gaza. As this Council heard in September from Dr. Harlev of the Schneider Children's Medical Center, the events of 7 October also exacted a dreadful toll on Israeli children, who were killed, gravely injured and abducted, some of whom have still not returned to their loved ones. It is unimaginably cruel of Hamas to take children hostage and still to be holding them a full 15 months later. They must be released. Second, President, We welcome news that aid is now flowing in at scale. And as USG Fletcher said, this must continue. Humanitarian actors must be allowed safe and unfettered access throughout Gaza, including the north. And alongside this, we need to see a massive increase in commercial delivery. The rollout of the polio vaccine to children in Gaza last year was an example of what can be achieved when there is political will. We urge the parties to enter this new phase in that same spirit and to prioritise those in desperate need. The ceasefire deal should be an opportunity to get more, not less, aid in. And for this reason, my Foreign Secretary has urged Israel to ensure UNRWA can continue its life-saving operations and give the fragile ceasefire the best chance of success. Finally, the conflict has meant that the 1.1 million children of Gaza have been out of school for over 15 months. We cannot allow a generation of Palestinians to be deprived of education and their right to a better future. To do so risks further suffering and a continued cycle of violence. This is in neither Palestinian nor Israeli interests. Once again, UNRWA plays a crucial role here. We must ensure its delivery of essential services, such as education and healthcare, can continue until such time as a Palestinian state can take over these functions. President, in conclusion, This Council has a clear children and armed conflict mandate to ensure that we protect children from the scourge of war and violence, wherever that may be. And yet grave violations against children are at an all-time high. We must do much more to reverse this appalling trajectory. We call on all parties to adopt and implement concrete and time-bound action plans to end and prevent grave violations against children. The United Kingdom will do all we can to turn the current ceasefire in Gaza into a lasting peace based on a two-state solution, where Palestinian and Israeli children alike can enjoy a safe and prosperous future. Thank you.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [1:03:33]:

I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for the statement. And I now give the floor to the representative of Guyana.


Guyana [1:03:45]:

Thank you, Mr. President. And I thank USG Fletcher for his briefing and Ms. Bisana Thiele for her sobering testimony. The subject of today's meeting reminds us of the worst consequences of war, the devastating impacts on children. It reminds us of why peace must always be the only choice. Over the past 15 months, we, the members of this Council, and indeed the entire world, have watched the children in Gaza bear the brunt of war that no child should ever experience. More than 14,500 of them were killed, and thousands more injured and maimed for life. Gaza is now the place with the highest number of child amputees in modern history. Children lost limbs, suffered severe burns, and their fragile bones were broken and crushed as Israeli airstrikes and bombs destroyed their homes, the places where they played, and ravaged all the spaces where they sought shelter, in gross violation of international law. Many lost their parents, their siblings, and other beloved family members. They were displaced multiple times, traveling from place to place, often in harsh weather conditions, but finding nowhere truly safe. In December alone, eight infants and newborns reportedly died from hypothermia. It is reported that more than 30,000 children were orphaned and nearly 1 million displaced from their homes. In this unrelenting war, children in Gaza were denied access to water and food and suffered malnutrition, with famine a real risk for many. In the absence of basic sanitation, thousands fell sick, suffering from preventable diseases with no recourse to health care as hospital after hospital was bombed and medical personnel attacked and terrorized. Previously eradicated diseases such as polio reemerged as vaccination programs fell behind. Schools in Gaza were not spared by Israel's weapons. They were reduced to rubble, erasing the hopes, dreams, and educational aspirations of the students. UNICEF reports that 95% of Gaza's school buildings have been damaged or destroyed. With the acquired ability to identify the various types of weaponry used. Through the ominous sounds of war, children in Gaza have witnessed the worst atrocities and endured tremendous suffering. The trauma and scars of the past months on their bodies and minds will endure for their lifetime. Mr. President, Guyana welcomes the current ceasefire, which offers much-needed reprieve for the people of Gaza, particularly the children. we urge all parties to work assiduously to ensure that it holds and that it becomes permanent. The protection of children in Gaza must be a priority during the implementation of the ceasefire. They must have shelter, the necessary humanitarian aid and health care, including psychosocial support. Access to education must return as soon as possible. with attention paid to explosive ordnance clearance and risk education to ensure their safety. Mr. President, the ordeal of Gaza's children is far from over. Families are returning to new horrors in their communities, discovering flattened or gutted homes and pulling decayed bodies from the rubble. The reconstruction and rehabilitation process will be long, expensive, and arduous. requiring the collective support and resources of the international community. Crucial to these efforts is the continued functioning of UNRWA. It has been emphasized in numerous briefings to this Council that UNRWA is the only agency in Gaza with the capacity and reach to provide the wide range of support needed by civilians in Gaza. Guyana reiterates its call for Israel to not implement the law on UNRWA. and respect the mandate given to UNRWA by the UN General Assembly. We thank all UN agencies, including UNRWA, and the numerous NGOs for their indefatigable efforts in providing life-saving support to children in Gaza, never giving up, even in the most difficult circumstances. They must be given the requisite support by this Council and the international community to continue their critical work. Mr. President, it is necessary to touch on another issue as we discuss today's subject, that of accountability, which was also mentioned by USG Fletcher. As the war on Gaza dragged on, the undertakings and assurances given to the world's children in legally binding international instruments and under the umbrella of international law were eroded one by one in Gaza. This Council, in resolution 1261 and subsequent children in armed conflict resolutions, was united in identifying six grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict, calling on parties to ensure the protection of children and for accountability for violations. Children in Gaza were subject to these grave violations. there has been blatant disregard for international humanitarian law and widespread human rights abuses. Guyana is of the firm view that impunity and the failure to hold perpetrators of grave violations against children accountable are contributing to the increase in such violations worldwide. Those in breach must be held accountable. This Council must be consistent and united in demanding that all parties to conflicts adhere to their obligations under international law to protect children. The children in Gaza deserve no less. In closing, Mr. President, I reiterate that peaceful resolution of conflicts remains the best and only real protection for children. We must, therefore, spare no effort to end this conflict. I thank you.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [1:10:28]:

I thank the representative of Guyana for the statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of Sierra Leone.


Sierra Leone [1:10:38]:

Thank you, Mr. President. I thank you for convening this briefing at the request of the Russian Federation, supported by Algeria in its national capacity, Pakistan, and Somalia, focused on the deeply alarming situation of children in the occupied Palestinian territory. I thank Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher for his briefing, as well as Ms. Pisan-Attil for her compelling contribution. Sweden commends UN agencies and other partners on the ground in the Gaza Strip for their tireless efforts to protect and support children affected by the conflict in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank. Sweden stands in solidarity with every child affected by this conflict those who have been tragically killed, those buried under rubble, those maimed and injured, those held hostage in prison or captive for months without proper care, and those who have been orphaned. Let us remember these children not only with sorrow, but also with renewed determination to resolve the conflict that has caused them such immense suffering. Mr. President, At the heart of the conflict in Gaza are the civilians who bear the brunt of this violence. Today's briefing have underscored the profound impact the conflict is having on children, many of whom have known only a life of violence and insecurity. The current ceasefire, while bringing some relief, cannot mask the dire conditions that these children continue to face. For over a year, Children in Gaza have endured unimaginable hardship, deprivation, bombardment, and displacement. Since October 7, 2023, it is reported that at least 14,500 children have lost their lives, with an estimated 25,000 injured. Over 17,000 children have been separated from their parents, and nearly 1 million have been displaced from their homes. Many are still unaccounted for. Disturbing reports indicate that newborns have died from harsh winter conditions, inadequate shelter, and the unavailability of life-saving formula. These numbers add to the 1,434 Palestinian children killed and 32,175 injured between 2008 and October 6, 2024, as per the UNHCR. The relentless attacks on densely populated areas, the constant displacement, and the disruption of essential services have subjected countless children to grave violations of their right, killing, maiming, and the destruction of schools, hospital, water, and energy infrastructure. The targeting of schools now used as shelters have left children with no safe spaces for learning or recovery. This has contributed to the erosion of the social fabric, of a once-resilient society. The effects of this war on children will endure long after the fighting stops, leaving lasting physical and psychological scars. As the ongoing situation in Gaza continues to highlight the vulnerability of children in conflict zones, it is essential that we take urgent and effective action to safeguard this generation from further calamity. In this regard, HELIN would like to emphasize the following points: First, we urge all parties to fully adhere to the ceasefire agreement and take all necessary steps to protect children's rights. We deeply regret attacks on schools and hospitals, and that the Safe Schools Declaration was not upheld. As noted by Under-Secretary-General Fletcher, with the ceasefire in place, humanitarian agencies and partners are scaling up efforts to address the health and psychosocial needs of children, including specialized protection services for unaccompanied children. This vital work must be supported and expanded as part of Gaza's rebuilding process and the broader reconstruction of the occupied Palestinian territory. Second, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2712, we call on all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, for the protection of children in armed conflict, including the Geneva Conventions, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and all relevant legal frameworks. The adoption of resolution 2712 by this Council acknowledges the disproportionate impact on children and demands that all parties ensure children receive the special protection they are entitled to under international law. Third, in line with resolution 2720, and other relevant resolutions, reiterates the call for Israel, as the occupying power, to ensure the safe, sustained, and unimpeded access of humanitarian aid into Gaza. We welcome the entry of approximately 2,400 aid trucks since the beginning of the ceasefire, and encourage further support for these efforts. We also call on all parties to support humanitarian organizations in facilitating the emergency medical evacuation of critically injured civilians, including thousands of children. The risk posed by explosive remnants of war remain high, and we urge all stakeholders to ensure the safe disposal of these ordinances to prevent further harm to civilians, especially children. Last but not least, we affirm the critical role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, in meeting the humanitarian needs of the civilian population in Gaza, particularly in providing education, health services, and psychosocial support for children. Rebuilding educational infrastructure must be a top priority to ensure that children can resume learning in a safe environment that fosters both academic development and emotional healing. In conclusion, it is imperative that we strengthen accountability mechanisms for violation of children's rights, including holding perpetrators accountable for attacks on schools and hospitals, the denial of humanitarian access, and the use of sexual violence against children in conflict. We call for the release of all children being held in detention camps, and for full and impartial investigations into their detentions. As we welcome the ceasefire as a crucial step towards rebuilding Gaza and addressing the immediate needs of its children, We also urge swift action to end the ongoing military operations in the West Bank, which has resulted in fatalities and injuries. Reports of violence between settlers and the Palestinian communities must be addressed to ensure that the ceasefire leads to lasting peace and stability. I thank you.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [1:17:54]:

I thank the representative of Sierra Leone for the statement. And I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.


Pakistan [1:18:07]:

I thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I would like to thank the Algerian Presidency and yourself for convening this briefing on the request of the Russian Federation, Somalia, Sierra Leone, and my own delegation on the plight of children in Gaza. We thank Mr. Tom Fletcher for his briefing, and in particular, I would like to thank Ms. Bisam Natil for her testimony of the suffering that the children of Gaza have endured for the past 15 months. Mr. President, Israel's unrelenting and indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population in Gaza for 15 sustained months with one pause cannot be justified. by any argument of the provocation that instigated these attacks. International humanitarian law is quite clear, crystal clear, that no matter what the provocation, the forces of a state are prohibited from attacking civilian structures or even structures where there may be civilians that could suffer as a result of these attacks. This principle has to be upheld if we are today and in the future to be able to contain the consequences of wars and conflicts on innocent people. That was the purpose of the Geneva Conventions. And that purpose was set out after the wars that devastated Europe and the world. And today, that purpose must be reinstated as we see the suffering that has been caused by Israel's brutal and indiscriminate war in Gaza. 46,000 people killed, most of them women and children. How can this be justified? Among the tragedies of the Palestinian people, the suffering of the children in Gaza stands out as a black mark on humanity at large, not only on those who caused the suffering by their bombs and artillery, not only on those who allowed this to happen over 15 months that this Security Council remained frozen. because of the position of certain states. Not only those who continue to supply weapons and ammunition to the attacking forces who were killing children every day, but even all of us. And I'm glad I was not on the Security Council, Mr. President, last year, and that I come on the Council at a time when a ceasefire has been achieved, however fragile. But this deliberate policy of targeting civilians, irrespective of the fact that the majority being killed are children and women, hospitals attacked, schools attacked, children targeted by snipers What degradation, what moral degradation allows something like that to happen? There are complaints about the 7th of October, but compare that with the devastation that has been visited on the people of Gaza. Does 7th of October justify what has been done to the children of Gaza? Can it ever be justified? Mr. President, we of course have welcomed the ceasefire, and we are grateful to Egypt and Qatar, the United States, for having brokered it. It could have been achieved much earlier. And we understand the new dynamics which seems to have obliged the Prime Minister of Israel finally to accept the ceasefire. And now we must ensure that the ceasefire holds that the Israeli threats to resume the conflict are held back. We are concerned also about what's happening in the West Bank. Ceasefire in Gaza and escalation simultaneously of violence in the West Bank. The Security Council must take cognizance of what is happening in the West Bank as well. Humanitarian aid, of course, has to be accelerated. We fully share the remarks of Mr. Fletcher on how much aid should go through. There is risk of disease, water scarcity, scarcity of food, all of these requirements must be addressed, all border crossings must be opened, and UNRWA's continued operation must be ensured by the international community and this Security Council. We will need a reconstruction plan to be implemented immediately, because the Palestinian people are being asked to return to their homes, but look at the homes. There are no homes. Everything has been devastated. Where will they go for shelter? Mr. President, finally, we must talk about accountability. Last year, the IDF was finally listed In the Secretary-General's report on children and armed conflict, the Security Council's mechanism of children in armed conflict must serve as a vital tool for scrutinizing the IDF's actions and to ensure justice and accountability for the Palestinian children. And it should continue to report objectively and comprehensively on the plight of children affected by Israel's war in Gaza. Mr. President, heinous crimes have been committed in this brutal war, particularly against children, in violation of international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, the Convention on the Rights of the Child. the Convention on Genocide. There must be accountability for these crimes. This is essential to restore international legitimacy. We must try to ensure that such brutal slaughter of children never happens again. I thank you.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [1:27:40]:

I thank the representative of Pakistan. for the statement. And I now give the floor to the representative of France.


France [1:27:53]:

Mr. President, I thank Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Ms. Nattil for their briefings. These briefings have reminded us just how deadly the conflict in Gaza has been for Palestinian children. According to UNICEF, more than 14,500 children have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the war. That is more than the number of children killed in four years of war across the entire globe. 25,000 children have been wounded. Gaza has the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world. 17,000 children have been separated from their parents as a result of the conflict or are now entirely alone following the death of their parents. More than a million children have been displaced. These figures are horrific. This war has destroyed almost all It is infrastructure critical to survival. Grave violations of the rights of children fly in the face of international humanitarian law and human rights. The entry into force of the ceasefire agreement must put an end to the unacceptable suffering of Palestinian children and that of civilians. France continues to mobilize to come to the aid of these people and has participated in several medical evacuation operations. The most recent of these was in coordination with the EU and the WHO that saw Palestinian patients receive treatment in France. Let us also recall that Hamas took Israeli children hostage during the terrorist attacks of the 7th of October. France will continue to condemn these attacks and these abductions. We will, of course, never forget the suffering weathered by Israeli children. Mr. President, The agreement that has entered into force must allow the release of all hostages, including two of our compatriots, Orfe Calderon and Orhan Yahalomi. It must also allow the delivery at scale of humanitarian aid for civilians, in particular for Palestinian children. The future of the Gaza Strip must be part and parcel of a future Palestinian state. We must avoid Hamas ever setting foot in Gaza again. The Palestinian Authority must be allowed to return as quickly as possible, and that must be facilitated by Israel. Israel must also allow the Palestinian Authority to exercise its authority in the West Bank. France calls this ceasefire to be an opportunity to set in motion an irreversible process leading to the two-state solution. We are committed within this Council and in all fora to that goal. Mr. President, allow me to conclude by recalling that the protection of children in armed conflict is an absolute priority for France. We will remain fully mobilized, including looking ahead to 2027, when we will mark the 20th anniversary of the Paris Commitments and Principles, which is a flagship document for the protection of children. We reaffirm our support for the SRSG for children and armed conflict and for UNICEF. We must provide a future to Gaza's children and to all Israeli and Palestinian children so that they can live, study and grow up in freedom, peace and security. I thank you.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [1:31:08]:

I thank the representative of France for the statement. And I now give the floor to the representative of Korea.


Republic of Korea [1:31:19]:

Thank you, Mr. President. I also would like to thank U.S. Minister Fletcher for his briefing and Ms. Nuttall for her testimony. Mr. President, regrettably, during the horrendous terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and the ensuing Israeli military responses in Gaza, children have been disproportionately impacted in this brutal conflict. We, and I, still remember the shocking moments of the unjustifiable attack by Hamas on Israel's citizens on October 7th, where dozens of children were brutally killed and 251 Israelis, including 30 children, were abducted. Their terror on that dark day is unimaginable and unforgivable. While we unequivocally condemn the terrorist attacks by Hamas, we remain seriously alarmed by the extensive killing of Palestinian children in Gaza over the last 15 months. It is deeply disturbing that at least 1,500 Gazan children, possibly underestimated, have been reportedly killed in Israel attacks since October 7th. We deserve the children reporting that at least another 20,000 Palestinian children are either missing, disappeared, or buried under rubble in Gaza. The Secretary-General's annual report on children and armed conflict last year staggeringly detailed that more than one-third of the total verified cases of killing and maiming all around the world occurred in Israel and Palestine, mostly between October 7 and December in 2023. And this year's figure is expected to be even higher given the escalated hostilities that continued throughout the entirety of 2024. Mr. President, the Republic of Korea wholeheartedly welcomes the ceasefire agreement and hopes it will serve as a true stepping stone for Gaza's 1 million children to finally be relieved of this perpetual nightmare. We also note that the 90 Palestinian prisoners released on January 19 from Israeli prisons in exchange for three Israeli hostages include women and minors, some of whom are reportedly as young as 12 years old. We hope that the rights of Palestinian children can also be respected under due process and the release of those and other Palestinian minors can help build trust between Israel and Palestine. Mr. President, the current cease-fire in Gaza must urgently ease the catastrophic suffering of Palestinian children in Gaza. Children should have priority to the supply of adequate food and water, and enjoy full access to the health care they need. despite only half of Gaza's 36 hospitals being partially functional. Sufficient care for babies, as well as lactating mothers, must also be ensured. The resumption of education throughout Gaza is also of great importance. The significance of education cannot be overemphasized in long-term reconstruction efforts, as well as in trust building among peoples and nations. Thus, it is deeply concerning that children in Gaza have already lost two years of education, as nearly 88% of schools in Gaza either need full reconstruction or major rehabilitation. We recognize UNRWA's vital role in providing essential services to Palestinian children including healthcare and education. Mr. President, the future of Israel and Palestine belongs to the children in the region. We, the adults of the current generation, have the responsibility of providing a better future for all children in the Middle East to inherit. The terror of October 7th and the horror in Gaza for the last 15 months, once again, reminds us that the status quo is neither acceptable nor sustainable. The realization of the two-state solution, where both Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace, security, and dignity, is not an option, but an imperative. Let us begin a sincere discussion to revive the stalled Middle East peace process. While appreciating relevant initiatives, including the global alliance to implement the two-state solution by Saudi Arabia, Norway, and the European Union, the Republic of Korea will faithfully engage in every effort to this end. I thank you, Mr. President.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [1:37:24]:

I thank the representative of the Republic of Korea for the statement. And I now give the floor to the representative of Somalia.


Somalia [1:37:35]:

Mr. President, I thank the presidency for convening this important meeting in the call by the Russian Federation, Algeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, and my own country, Somalia. I also extend our appreciation to USG Fletcher for his comprehensive update and thank Ms. Bisson for her courage and sobering brief about the situation of children in Gaza. We have all heard with heavy heart the devastating situation of children in Gaza. While we acknowledge the recent pause agreement, we must confront an uncomfortable truth. Temporary respite, though welcome, falls devastatingly short of what Gaza's children desperately need. Palestinian children have witnessed and experienced horrors that no human being, let alone a child, should ever endure. They have lost homes, family members, and their fundamental right to a safe childhood. The recent developments, including the ceasefire agreement, and the related hostage exchange offer a glimmer of hope for the protection and well-being of children who have borne the brunt of this prolonged conflict. While a crucial first step, it must be transformed into a permanent ceasefire. This is not merely a diplomatic preference; it's an absolute necessity for the survival and the recovery of Gaza's children. The damage inflicted over the past months threatens not just individual futures, but risks scarring Palestinian society for generations to come. In that regard, Somalia would like to emphasize the following points. First, protection of children. The children of Gaza must be shielded from violence and the devastating impacts of conflict. Somalia reiterates the necessity of upholding international humanitarian and human rights law, particularly the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The protection of children's lives, safety, and dignity must remain a top priority. We urge compliance and implementation of obligations under the ceasefire agreement and ensure accountability for any violations. Second, humanitarian access and aid. We welcome the humanitarian assistance delivery to those desperately in need, as mentioned by USG Fletcher. Children across Gaza face acute shortages of food, clean water, and medical care. The specter of famine looms, while countless injured children require medical attention that Gaza's devastated healthcare system cannot provide. We join others in calling immediately open all crossing points into Gaza and remove arbitrary restrictions on all aid delivery. The needs of children, not political considerations, must determine the scale of humanitarian assistance. Adequate funding for organizations like UNICEF and UNRWA is essential to sustain lifesaving efforts and rebuild Gaza's infrastructure, including schools and hospitals. We reiterate that UNRWA's continued operations can complement the ceasefire agreement as it's crucial for delivering services on the required scale. Third, psychological and educational support. As USG Fletcher mentioned, and listening to Ms. Natella's vivid stories of horror, the trauma inflicted on children during the conflict is immense, with many suffering is irreversible harm. We must ensure that children requiring specialized medical care can be evacuated safely, accompanied by their caregivers. The denial of such care violates both international humanitarian law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Priority should be given to facilities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, followed by appropriate international facilities based on medical necessity. Somalia calls for urgent investment in health services and infrastructure, including mental health and psychological support services, alongside the rehabilitation of schools and education systems. This includes addressing the needs of children with disabilities resulting from violence, ensuring inclusiveness in the recovery efforts. Fifth, sustainable peace and long-term recovery. We emphasize that lasting peace requires addressing the underlying cause of the conflict, including the occupation and the blockade of Gaza. Children in Gaza must be granted the right to grow in a safe and dignified environment. The reconstruction of Gaza's critical infrastructure must be Palestinian-led, inclusive, and centered on the needs of the children. International actors must work collectively to rebuild healthcare systems, support economic recovery, and ensure the territorial integrity of Gaza within the borders of the context of a unified Palestinian state. Sixth and my last point, mine clearance and post-conflict safety. The vast amounts of unexplored ordnance in Gaza pose a severe risk to children. We call for immediate international support for mine risk education and clearance efforts to safeguard the lives and facilities of reconstruction. To conclude, Mr. President, the plight of Gaza's children is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting resolution. Somalia remains committed to advocating for their rights and ensuring their voices are heard in the pursuit of peace and stability. We tell the children of Palestine, you have the right to life, you have the right to education, You have the right to eat, to food, to eat, to sleep in a safe environment. Somalia calls on the right of international community to act with urgency and compassion to restore hope for Gaza's children and ensure a brighter future for all. I thank you, Mr. President.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [1:44:41]:

I thank the representative of Somalia for this statement. And I now give the floor to the representative of Denmark.


Denmark [1:44:51]:

Thank you, Mr. President. I also wish to thank U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Fletcher and Ms. Natsil for their sobering briefings. Last week, a long-awaited ceasefire and hostage agreement was reached, an agreement which we hope will ensure the release of all remaining hostages, adequate humanitarian aid, and which can hopefully lead to a permanent ceasefire to allow for reconstruction and a path toward a two-state solution. We also hope that the ceasefire will provide a first step toward a safer future for children in Gaza. a chance for children to attend school without interruption, to play without fear, to once again hope for the future. On this fifth day of its implementation, we call on all parties to uphold their commitments and ensure that the agreement is fully implemented. Mr. President, as we've seen in far too many conflicts around the world, children bear the brunt of war. Last year, the occupied Palestinian territory was ranked as the deadliest place in the world for children. as children make up close to half of those killed in Gaza. Those surviving face a grim reality and a lifetime of trauma. More than 34,000 children have been injured, and Gaza is home to the largest number of amputee children in modern history. Gaza also has the highest rate of children malnutrition globally, and approximately 1 million children are estimated to be in need of mental health and psychosocial support. The war has left close to 17,000 children orphaned. More than 95% of schools in Gaza have been partially or completely destroyed. And the 625,000 school-age children of Gaza have lost more than one year of learning. These figures and the immense suffering they convey are more than shocking. We remind all parties of their obligations to take all necessary precautions to protect civilians, not least the children, who count for almost half the population in Gaza. We remind that the schools must be protected and the civilian status respected. We once again call on all parties to the conflict to immediately end and prevent all six grave violations against children and ensure that there is accountability for those committed. Mr. President, Denmark remains deeply concerned by the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. With the ceasefire agreement in place, We must now see a surge in humanitarian assistance into and across Gaza, as well as the guaranteed safety for humanitarian workers. A key priority will be to get sufficient food, water, and medical supplies, as well as winter supplies to children and their families. Restoring schools and the physical and mental safety needed for children to be able to resume learning would be a Herculean task, but a task we need to undertake. At this critical moment, UNRWA remains the backbone of the wider humanitarian response in Gaza. It must be allowed to implement its full mandate, including on the delivery of essential services, including health care and education. Mr. President, we are waiting impatiently to finally see the release of the remaining child hostages brutally taken by and held by Hamas in a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. One as young as two years old. knows no other world outside these dire conditions. We recall the need to ensure immediate release of all remaining hostages without conditions, and we call for humanitarian visits to all remaining hostages held by Hamas, as well as Palestinians held in Israeli detention. They are protected under the Fourth Geneva Convention, and ICRC delegates must be allowed access to them wherever they may be. Mr. President, Palestinian and Israeli children alike deserve a brighter future, where they can live in peace without fear of losing their family or their lives. Building on the ceasefire agreement, we need to see tangible steps towards realizing a two-state solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign, and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace, security, and mutual recognition. This is the only path to durable peace, a durable peace where children can dream beyond mere survival, envisioning lives full of possibility without the weight of war. This is the future of the children of Israel and Palestine need, the future they deserve. Thank you.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [1:49:26]:

I thank the representative of Denmark for the statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of Greece. Of Slovenia, I'm sorry.


Slovenia [1:49:41]:

Thank you, Mr. President. I thank you, Mr. Fletcher and Ms. Natchil, for their powerful briefings. Children in Gaza have experienced unspeakable horrors. Many lost their families, their homes, their schools. Too many are missing, either lost, disappeared, detained, or buried. For too many are maimed or killed. Basically, all children in Gaza are traumatized for life. Like everywhere else, in Gaza, children are the future, the future of Palestine. And to rebuild Gaza into a place of living, a place of hope and lasting peace, we must ensure that its people's trauma is not perpetrated. We once again welcome the ceasefire agreement and urge all parties to fully uphold their commitments. We must make sure that this ceasefire translates into lasting peace. Children of Gaza deserve this. Firstly, children in Gaza must be freed from deprivation. Safe, sustained, and unimpeded access to large-scale humanitarian aid must be guaranteed to ease their pain and treat the widespread malnutrition. Access constraints need to be lifted. and security and stability must be guaranteed. A full range of supplies, including water, food, shelter, medical supplies, fuel, and winter essentials, must be allowed into Gaza. This must be accompanied with materials for the restoration of critical civilian infrastructure, water supplies, hospitals, schools, housing, and markets. Additionally, children must have the means and the opportunities to be reunited with their family members. Secondly, children in Gaza need access to health services. Healthcare in Gaza has been under attack, rendering the majority of hospitals and health centers out of service and the rest only partially functioning. Such situation is leaving newborns and pregnant women without access to vital services, of pre and postnatal care so urgently needed in the beginning of a child's life. In face of the disproportionate impact of war on children, access to basic health care is crucial for the survival and development. This is not optional. It is an obligation of Israel as the occupying power under the Convention of the Rights of the Child to protect every child's right to life, survival, and development, health and physical and psychological recovery. It must be guaranteed, including through medical evacuations. Whether facing hunger or acute malnutrition, amputations and war wounds, or lifelong trauma, children in Gaza need access to long-term specialist care, including prosthetic and assistive technologies and mental health services. As WHO underscored, Life-changing injuries in Gaza require rehabilitation services now and for years to come. For years, Slovenia has been engaged in providing medical rehabilitation and psychosocial support to over 200 children from Gaza. Most recently, a group of 10 children was evacuated from Egypt in October. According to Save the Children, in 2024, an average of 15 children a day were left with potentially lifelong disabilities due to explosive weapons. We underline the urgent need to prevent any further injuries or deaths, including by clearing explosive remnants of war. Thirdly, we need to give these children an opportunity to build better lives for themselves. This generation of children is missing out on their second school year, with close to all of their schools being either damaged or destroyed. Education system must be rebuilt. It is essential to ensure children have access to safe spaces for learning, development, and play. No society could ever be successful without access to education. A rebuilt Gaza must stand on pillars of better opportunities. We therefore repeat the essential role of UNRWA in human development. Now is the time to strengthen the agency that offers basic services, not undermine it. Mr. President, children are the biggest victims of any war. We therefore encourage listed parties in the Secretary-General's Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict to initiate a dialogue with the UN for the development, adoption and implementation of action plans to end and prevent grave violations against children. Mr. Thiel, we were touched by carefully crafted words in your writings. In Slovenia's book of life, we always acknowledge Palestinians, and in fact, every human being, as more than just numbers and names. Images of children in Gaza during this war have been our constant reminder not to give up on peace. Now that the ceasefire agreement is in place, many of children have nowhere to go and no one to turn to. Their stories and struggles remind us that despite the recent breakthrough, our work has not yet finished. This Council must continue working on a pathway to lasting peace and a two-state solution. Only then there will be also a peaceful future for children in Palestine, Israel, and the region. I thank you, Mr. President.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [1:55:48]:

I thank the representative of Slovenia for the statement. And I now give the floor To the representative of Greece.


Greece [1:55:58]:

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to thank you, Ms. G. Fletcher and Mr. Nakheel, for the detailed briefings. Mr. President, early on in this war, the Security Council recognized its disproportionate impact on children when it adopted the resolution 2712 in 2023, demanding the parties to comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children. Evidently, this war has taken a shocking toll on children in Gaza, reportedly leaving at least 40,500 dead and thousands more injured, separated from their families, and nearly 1 million internally displaced. They all have names. They all deserve a better future. Mr. President, a few days ago, in this chamber, we welcomed a long overdue ceasefire deal struck within the parties in hope that it will last and lead to a situation where recovery for 15 enormously difficult months for the people of Gaza can be attainable. We understand the shock on Israeli society and the international community by the horrendous attacks of October 7 by Hamas, which also led to the killing and abductions of many children. At the same time, international law and international humanitarian law must remain the compass of our behaviour. In this vein, we join our colleagues in asking the parties to adhere to the ceasefire deal and respect the provisions of international humanitarian law. We cannot but stress the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all times, including humanitarian workers, in line with international humanitarian law. We also encourage parties listed in the Secretary-General's report to engage with the United Nations on preventing violations committed against children. The suffering of civilians must come to an end. All crossings should be open for aid delivery that should come quickly and at scale to meet the urgent needs of a starving population. UNRWA's operations remain vital for the thousands of children in Gaza, stripped of their basic rights to safety, to health care, to education. There can be no day after scenario for the Gaza Strip without child-centered services. The valuable work of UNRWA and other international organizations like UNICEF cannot be overstated, and we proudly continue to support them. Mr. President, protection of children is central to our conscience as human beings. Greece has decided to actively take steps to alleviate the suffering of children in Gaza. This week, the first injured child from Gaza arrived in Greece through Romania for treatment. and my country will further offer treatment to several more injured children in Greek hospitals. The only long-term solution for the region is to revitalize the political process to pave the way for political horizon for a two-state solution, according to relevant Security Council resolutions, while recognizing the right of Israel to exist in peace and security. In the meantime, we call on all parties to refrain from actions that put children in danger. Attacks on children, coupled with hindered access to humanitarian aid, constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. Mr. President, in a world stuck in this cycle of violence, children are the world's hope and should be given hope. They should be allowed to reinvent a better world for all of us. I thank you.


Algeria · Representative of Algeria; President of the Security Council [1:59:09]:

I thank the representative of Greece for the statement. I shall now make statement in my capacity as the representative of Algeria. Dear colleagues, we extend our sincere thanks to USG Tom Fletcher and the civil society representative, Ms. Bissan Natil, for their sobering briefing. Bissan, your moving presentation was another testimony of the level of suffering that Gazans, in particular children, face during more than 470 days of Israeli aggression. Be assured, Bissan, that the Algerian people will always support you and the Palestinian people. As President Tebboune said, and I quote, "Algeria will never, never leave the Palestinian people alone." until they enjoy their rights. Colleagues, a ceasefire has just been reached in Gaza, offering a glimmer of hope after a devastating 15 months of war. thanks to the mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. At this moment, it is crucial to feel the distress of the population in Gaza, among which stand innocent children who witnessed atrocities to which no child should ever be subjected. Children are not responsible for the decisions made by adults, yet they are often the first victims of conflicts. This tragic reality is true across the globe, but in Gaza, The situation has reached unprecedented levels. These events that unfolded before our eyes were not merely a conflict. This was a war against children, a war against innocents. It is crucial to voice the suffering of Palestinian children who still endure the consequences of the deadly attacks on the civil population carried out by the Israeli occupying power for more than 15 months, 470 days. Attacks leading to astonishing figures. Thousands of injuring children, among which the highest number of child amputees in modern history. An estimated of 17,000 unaccompanied children are separated from their parents, nearly one million, one million displaced from their homes. And we should not forget about the children who lost their lives as a consequence of armed attacks, bombing, hunger, and lack of access to healthcare, and even frozen to death, to mention but a few of the violations of international humanitarian law. According to various NGOs, more than 18,000 children have been killed in Gaza. making up 40%, 44% of the victims. And real figures are surely higher, much higher. While the rubble is not fully cleared in Gaza, an estimated of 20,000 children are now reported as missing. These children, whose lives were brutally ended by Israeli attacks before they could bloom, will never have a chance to grow old. Their passing will leave and emptiness that cannot be filled in the lives and hearts of their family and loved ones. Colleagues, while Gaza is regaining calm, which we hope will lead to a permanent ceasefire, and the withdrawal of the Israeli army, the situation there remains dire. The scale of destruction is immense. The long-term consequences on the lives of people in Gaza, particularly children, are also profound. as they suffer significant losses, face severe trauma, experience injuries, and are subject to displacement. These children are now out of school. They have no access to health care. This is the dark reality children in Gaza are experiencing. The perpetrators of this heinous killing, heinous crime against children must be held accountable. There should be no room for impunity, no room for immunity. Colleagues, it's time for recovery, and we must act urgently to save lives and help children heal. The damage caused by conflict is so extensive that even people's hope in life need to be rebuilt in Gaza. To achieve this objective, we need to focus on children by granting them access to education and to health care. With over 660,000 students currently Out of school, the challenges are immense, especially considering that at least 88% of school buildings requires either full reconstruction or major repairs. Moreover, malnutrition is rampant. Over 96 of children, 96 of children under two years old are not meeting their nutritional needs due to a lack of dietary diversity. This year, an estimated 60,000 children will need treatment for acute malnutrition. In addition, one million children are in urgent need of mental health and psychological support. These challenges are exacerbated by the fact that 84 percent 84% of health facilities have been damaged or destroyed by the Israeli bombing. Dear colleagues, let me be clear. Overcoming these challenges requires the mobilization of humanitarian community. In this regard, UNRWA, the backbone of humanitarian action in Gaza, is vital, especially in the fields of health care and education. The Agency is indispensable. The Agency is irreplaceable. Attacking UNRWA in this critical period ruin reconstruction efforts and threaten the very presence of Palestinians in their land. The conflict in Gaza has exacted a heavy toll on Palestinian children, inflicting potentially potentially irreversible harm. The consequences threaten not only their individual future, but the very fabric of Palestinian society for generations to come. We have to protect the needs and interests of present and future generations, as reflected in the commitment of our leaders in the very first paragraph of the Pact of the Future. Colleagues, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Children, regardless of where they are born, have the inalienable right to a dignified life, to education, and to a joyful, safe, and secure childhood. Children in Gaza should not be an exception. Children in Gaza should not be an exception. Let's unite our efforts for a better future for children in Gaza. I thank you. I resume my function as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the permanent observer of the observer state of Palestine. You have the floor, sir.


State of Palestine · Permanent Observer [2:13:33]:

Mr. President, I would like to thank the Russian Federation, with the support of Algeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Sierra Leone, for convening this important meeting to discuss the situation of the Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip and to highlight their plight and the urgent need to ensure their protection and care. Today, with the ceasefire, which should become permanent, it may be time for the Security Council to visit the devastated Gaza Strip, to witness firsthand what befell our people and our children owing to what Israel has perpetrated, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, throughout 15 months of genocide. and 17 years of an unjust blockade. To also witness firsthand the results of the culture of impunity, of double standards and immunity, the lack of accountability enjoyed by Israel as an occupying power unjustly and without reason. Mr. President, Allow me as well to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Tom Fletcher, for his comprehensive briefing. We also thank all the UN personnel operating on the ground to provide relief to our people. To Bisant Natil, our daughter from Gaza, I say, we are proud of you. We are proud of the young men and women of Palestine. We couldn't be prouder when our children in Gaza speak of Gaza. before the Security Council and the world, especially after this long absence imposed on you by the occupation. You have conveyed with hope and humanity your suffering and the horrors of what happened to you. I would like to thank you for your testimony on behalf of all the children of Palestine. Our hearts were bleeding throughout this heinous genocide. We could hear your pulse coming from Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, Jabalia, Gaza, Al-Wost Deir al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Rafah. We know that you and your children have been suffering, have been bearing the unbearable, the injustice, the aggression through no fault of your own. You were facing the Israeli machine, the killing machine, the destruction, the displacement, the ethnic cleansing that seeks to thwart your attempts to survive the bombardment and killing, to avoid being lost under the rubble, to survive detention, disease, fear, starvation, thirst, the summer heat and the winter cold. We recognize the scale of pain and oppression you have endured. the scope of the catastrophe that befell you. We recognize how difficult it is to heal as a people, but we also recognize your unwavering determination and resolve to go back to life, to resist death surrounding you from all sides. We will build on this resolve and on this hope. which may be scarce in these difficult times, especially that funeral homes are still open and that search for the martyrs' remains and for the displaced is ongoing. I wish you, our people in Gaza, a safe return to your life, to your homes, or what remains thereof. a safe return to your families, to your loved ones, to your friends, or whomever remains of them. We will be with you. We will be the hand that builds, that heals. We will listen to your ambitions and to your legitimate dreams. We will always convey your voice. until this criminal Israeli occupation of our people and of our land ends. Mr. President, in this context, we reaffirm the willingness and readiness of the Palestinian government to shoulder its governmental responsibilities in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank, to provide relief and development services to our people in the Strip, which is part and parcel of the territories of the State of Palestine. In line with the government's plan for relief and early recovery and the emergency response for the Gaza Strip, which was submitted by the Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammed Mustafa, to His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas, and which includes guaranteeing the safe return of the displaced to their homes, the provision of treatment to the wounded and the sick, the rehabilitation of the disabled, and preparing for a comprehensive reconstruction phase, including the resumption of the services of education, health, and infrastructure, controlling the crossings and the borders, achieving economic recovery, and social recovery. And in this, we will depend on the expertise of our sons and daughters from the Palestinian people capable of building a better future. And here there is a need to call upon the Israeli occupation to immediately release thousands of medical journalistic and academic Palestinian personnel who were abducted by Israel from the Gaza Strip and who are being subjected to the most severe forms of torture in the Israeli torture centers. Gaza cannot recover without the return of its sons who were abducted by Israel from the Gaza Strip, such as Dr. Hussam Abu Safia and Dr. Ahmed Mahanna and other medical personnel and technical personnel. We look forward to cooperating and coordinating with friendly and sisterly countries in all areas to provide aid and assistance to our people. We reaffirm the role of the United Nations, including the pivotal role of UNRWA, which is irreplaceable, especially at this critical stage. Hence the need to compel the Israeli occupation not to obstruct the work of UNRWA in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. We call upon the international community to enable UNRWA to reopen its schools in the Gaza Strip and to equip it to welcome thousands of children to resume formal education. and to reach every young boy and girl evenly and safely. We all know that school provide some sort of protection to children from the scourge of wars because schools provide psychological and recreational support to children. We cannot wait any longer. We should immediately resume education at all its levels in the Gaza Strip. Mr. President, Israel has been waging air raids on houses of civilians in Gaza indiscriminately. It has been adopting carpet bombardment, using hundreds of tons of bombs. These bombardments killed more than 14,000 children, with more than 20,000 missing under the rubbles of their homes, their shelters, or in mass graves. Tens of thousands of children are suffering severe burns and permanent injuries. They have been maimed. Israel left thousands of children orphans. Israel besieged the Gaza Strip and imposed the policy of starvation, using starvation as a weapon of war, preventing the delivery and distribution of relief and medical assistance to the civilian in violation of all the moral, legal and political standards, including relevant Security Council resolutions. In the West Bank, Israel entered with its military armored vehicles into our homes, into our schools and neighborhoods. It has killed and arrested our children. And this occupation and the settlers' terrorism is expanding to engulf every city, every neighborhood, in Jenin and its camp, in Turqarm, in Nablus, in Ramallah, in Kalkiliya, in Beit Laham, in Hebron. They are displacing, bombarding, detaining, burning, looting, and building settlements in a blatant violation of international laws and instruments without any accountability. We call for keeping the IDF on the UN list of abusers of the rights of children in armed conflicts. until this occupation ceases committing crimes against our children. We also call upon countries to prohibit the delivery of weapons to the Israeli occupation army, to compel it to respect international law, and to ensure protection for our children. We cannot accept this fate, and we cannot accept that the fate of our children will be either a grave in the Gaza Strip or a detention center in the West Bank or a displacement in East Jerusalem. It is unacceptable for our children to live today the same harsh life we lived in our childhood owing to the ongoing Israeli occupation throughout the decades without any prospect to end it. This cycle of violence should end immediately. This occupation, which is robbing us of our children, robbing us of our youth and of life, should end immediately. It is time for us, for our children, to live a life free from the Israeli occupation and its aggressions. It is time. for a Palestinian generation that doesn't live under occupation. It is time to end the war irreversibly and to end the blockade irreversibly. It is time to release all our Palestinian children that are being held by Israel in the Israeli detention and torture centers. and to guarantee that Israel will not detain them again. It is time for our wounded and sick children to receive treatment and the necessary medical care, especially those who lost their limbs and who are in need of artificial limbs and who need rehabilitation to adapt with this new life that was imposed on them. I call upon you to join us in our efforts to achieve justice, peace and security in our region. This can only be achieved by ending the unlawful Israeli occupation of our land, pursuant to the advisory opinion of the ICJ, to achieve justice and to hold accountable the perpetrators before international tribunals. to achieve the independence and sovereignty of the State of Palestine and its full membership in the United Nations, so that our people can exercise their right to self-determination, and so that our children can be born and raised in peace and security, and can fulfill their dreams, build their future, and live in freedom and dignity. Thank you, President.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [2:28:39]:

I thank the representative of the observer state of Palestine for his statement. The President of the Security Council gives the floor to the representative of Israel.


Israel [2:29:00]:

Mr. Benjamin, before I begin, I have noticed that when you give the floor to any member state, you just say that you give them the floor. But when it comes to Israel, you say, and I quote, the presidency or the president gives the floor. I don't understand what is the reasoning for that, and maybe you can let me know why you make that distinction between Israel and any other member state that appears in front of this Council.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [2:29:50]:

Did you finish your statement?


Israel [2:29:53]:

No, I haven't started. I just wanted to know why you make the distinction when you give me the floor for the last eight months, since you are the President of the Security Council, and I thought it was a mistake, but now I saw that it's not a mistake and there's something behind it, so maybe You have something against my country, but as President of the Council, you should put your personal thoughts or feelings aside when you preside over the Council.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [2:30:25]:

We are chairing this Council, and the presidency of the Security Council gives the floor to the representative of Israel. You have the floor, sir.


Israel [2:30:47]:

Esteemed colleagues, I must first ask, has this Council ever paused to consider the plight of Israeli children? Too many Israeli children were mutilated, tortured, and murdered on October 7, innocent lives stolen by the brutality of Hamas terrorists. 30 children were kidnapped from their homes, ripped from their families, and taken into the depths of Hamas's terror tunnels. Tens of thousands of Israeli children have been displaced, their homes destroyed, their schools closed, their lives shattered. No one at the UN, nor any of its agencies, have said enough about them, let alone lifted a finger to help them. And what about the children who have spent their formative years under the constant stream of Hamas rocket fire? Imagine growing up with the sound of sirens, given just seconds to find shelter, with the knowledge that every moment of peace could be destroyed in an instant. Tens of thousands of children have grown up knowing that at any moment, a Hamas rocket could kill them. This is a reality for Israeli children. The trauma they have endured is beyond imagination. Yet, where is the Council's compassion? Where are the urgent sessions? Where is the outrage? Instead, we meet here today to discuss only the children of Gaza. While their suffering is real, This discussion is dripping with fake outrage and political agenda. Every member of this council, including those who called for this discussion, knows who bears responsibility for their situation. It is Hamas, not Israel, that has turned Gaza into a war zone. It is Hamas, not Israel, that uses children as human shields. It is Hamas, not Israel, that places its terror infrastructure in schools, hospitals, and civilian neighborhoods. But time and time again, this Council chooses to ignore these facts, choosing to vilify the democratic country that goes to every possible length to protect innocent lives. On October 7, Hamas made a deliberate choice to massacre our people. They knew, as did everyone in this chamber, that their actions would provoke the response it has. They knew they were putting their own people in harm's way, and still they carried out their atrocities, hiding behind civilians and daring Israel to act. Today's discussion is an affront to common sense. Those who truly care about the children of Gaza must condemn Hamas unequivocally. Anything less is hypocrisy. Hamas has stolen countless childhoods and poisoned those children's minds. They have turned schools into training grounds for terror, where children are taught to glorify violence and hate. We have all seen the images, also in the last week, of young Gazan children wearing the Hamas headbands, waving guns in the air. That is the future Hamas wants for Gaza's children. Imagine the level of hatred they have ingrained in those countless young boys. These are not isolated examples. This is systematic indoctrination. Hamas has robbed a generation of their innocence and their future. If this Council truly cared about the children of Gaza, it would have condemned that indoctrination long ago. But instead, we hear only silence. Let's be honest. What future will the children of Gaza have with Hamas in power? None. They will remain tools for Hamas's terror, cannon fodder for their murderous aims. They will grow up in a society where hatred is celebrated, where violence is glorified, and where life is cheap. Is this the future you want for them? because it is the future you enable when you refuse to hold Hamas accountable. Contrast this with what could have been. And I want to remind you, in 2005, Israel made a painful decision, an unprecedented one, to withdraw from Gaza. We removed every single Israeli citizen and soldier so-called settlements, settler occupation, blockade, you name as much as you want. We moved all of them, uprooting entire communities in the hope of giving the Palestinians a chance at peace and prosperity. We left everything there, entire communities. What did Hamas do with this opportunity? They turned Gaza into the world's largest terror base, diverting resources meant for the people and their needs to build rockets and tunnels. They could have created a thriving future. You all speak about the future for the children. They had the opportunity, a Singapore on the Mediterranean. Instead, they chose destruction. The children of Gaza could have had a future filled with opportunity. Instead, They are trapped in a cycle of violence and despair, all because of Hamas, not because of Israel. Israel's commitment to minimizing harm to civilians is unmatched. We take extraordinary measures to protect innocent lives, even when Hamas makes it nearly impossible. We put our own soldiers at greater risk to spare lives on the other side. Yet Hamas exploits this humanity, embedding themselves deeper among civilians, using their homes as bunkers, their schools as weapons stores, and their hospitals as command centers. This is not a moral equivalence. This is a moral abomination. So I ask this Council today, if you truly care about the children of Gaza, Why do you remain silent in the face of such evil? Why do you not demand an end to Hamas' indoctrination and exploitation of children? Why do you not support efforts to dismantle their terror network and free Gaza, free Gaza from Hamas' grip? Algeria, you speak so highly, you want Hamas to stay, there will be no future for the kids of Gaza. If you genuinely care about the children of Gaza, you would join Israel in working to create a future of hope, not hate. That future is possible, but only if Hamas is removed from power. Imagine a Gaza where children go to school to learn, not to be indoctrinated, not with guns. Imagine a Gaza where resources are used to build playgrounds, not tunnels; where hospitals heal rather than hide weapons; where families can live without fear. This is not a pipe dream. It is a reality that could be achieved if Hamas's reign of terror ends. The international community must make a choice. Stand with the children of Gaza, or stand with those who use them as shields. You cannot support the children of Gaza and support Hamas at the same time. By refusing to confront the truth about Hamas, the Council is not just failing Israel or the children of Gaza, you are failing humanity. This Council was created to uphold peace and justice, but if this inaction continues, terror will continue to flourish. Israel will continue to do everything in its power to protect its people and to seek a better future for all children in the region. But make no mistake, that future cannot and will not include Hamas. Colleagues, perhaps you have forgotten about little Kfir Bivas, but I promise you we haven't. Kfir Bivas was nine months old when he was ripped from his bed, along with his four-year-old brother, Ariel, and his parents, Shiri and Yarden. He has remained in the darkness of Hamas' terror dungeons. Since then, we have received no word, nothing about his condition. No visits from the Red Cross, no offers of assistance, and no outrage from the UN. Just a few days ago, Kfir Bivas should have celebrated his second birthday, but for this little boy, there have been no celebrations. Kfir has not had the opportunity to celebrate a single birthday. He has known only captivity and suffering. Do you not hear the cries of Israeli children? Do you not feel the pain of Israeli children? Do you not see their tears? If you did, if you cared for anything other than political agendas, this session would discuss Kfir Bivas and all those Israeli children still suffering as well. Our children, every single one, deserve more than your silence. They deserve more than your indifference. They deserve their lives back.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [2:42:40]:

The presidency of the Security Council thanks the representative of Israel for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Egypt.


Egypt · Arab Group [2:42:56]:

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, President of the Council. Thank you. And thank you for those who called for holding this important meeting. I thank Under-Secretary-General Fletcher and the dear sister, Bisan, for her informative and detailed briefing. I'm honored to deliver the statement on behalf of the Arab Group, Mr. President. I thank you once again for holding this meeting today to discuss the situation of children in the Gaza Strip. In light of Israel's aggression, mediation efforts, extensive mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have succeeded with difficulty in reaching a ceasefire agreement to stop the aggression and save civilians. We hope it would be implemented in full to end the suffering of our brethren. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, we are speaking today with a heavy heart about the most heart-wrenching cause, the cause of our children in the Gaza Strip. They have gone through the most horrific experience that a child could go through. We're speaking today in pain, unable to fathom why we even need to explain that the cause of our Palestinian children is just and a humanitarian cause, while it is there before your eyes for all of you to see. Mr. President, United Nations reports and reports by international organizations referred to a multitude of horrors. It is not possible to mention them all today. These reports tell us that Gaza has turned into a graveyard for children, that at the very least, 14, rather 7,000 children have been martyred. Women and children together form 70% of the number of martyrs in Gaza. This is the highest number of any conflict in a similar time frame over the past two decades. The reports are telling us that thousands of children are missing, are displaced, are orphaned. Some of them are completely alone, without any member of their family. The number of child amputees in Gaza relative to the size of the population is the highest in the world, the highest in the world. The reports refer to death from starvation, shortage in medication. harsh cold as a result of Israeli restrictions imposed on humanitarian aid. They refer to children losing a whole school year, being deprived of health care. They refer to displacement, siege, and the destruction of health and educational facilities. Mr. President, The children of Gaza have been subjected to unparalleled horrors for a simple reason: because they are Palestinians that have been languishing under the yoke of the unjust Israeli occupation. They have been subjected to atrocities that cannot be erased from their memories. It might even be impossible to treat the physical and psychological impact of these atrocities. Israel is motivated always by the liberation of the hostages. And we wonder, how can killing children in this way and at this rate be both a means and an end? Mr. President, the position of the Arab Group is based on the following. First, the crimes perpetrated against the children of Palestine are a grave violation of the treaty and customary rules of international humanitarian law, a violation of the provisions of international criminal law, and international human rights law. They all stipulate that it is illegal to target civilians, including children, in armed conflicts. They're also violations of international commitments contained in the Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989 and the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and its first additional protocol of 1977. These commitments were also endorsed by the Security Council to protect civilians in armed conflicts. In its decisions, in its resolutions rather starting with resolution 1261 to its latest resolution 2764 of 2024 second children in Gaza have been subjected to crimes and violations at the same time Palestinian children in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have also been subjected to violations and crimes. This has prompted the Secretary-General of the United Nations to add Israel to the list of parties committing grave violations against children in armed conflicts. The number of children killed by Israel during this war exceeds that in any war over the past decades. The Arab Group therefore stresses the need and the necessity to ensure accountability and to cooperate with international courts in this regard, and these crimes should not be condoned under any justification. Third, the Arab Group calls for intensifying efforts and mobilizing international resources for early recovery projects. We call for focusing on rebuilding and restoring health and educational facilities. Children need these services immediately. It is necessary to quickly contain the consequences of children of Gaza having been out of school and deprived of the necessary healthcare and psychological care. Fourth, the Arab Group stresses the vital and irreplaceable role of UNRWA in providing services to Palestinian children, especially health services and educational services, and providing humanitarian support. In order to protect the future of our children, we must preserve the only lifeline for our children, namely this United Nations agency, the UNRWA. Fifth and finally, The only way to ensure a better future for these children, who are going to be the men and women of the future in Palestine, is to ensure that they are equal to other peoples of the world, to end the heinous occupation imposed upon them, to put an end to them having been targeted over decades. so that they live in their independent state along the lines of the 4th of June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, members of the Council, in closing, we can only but apologize to the Palestinian children, apologize to Bisan, We have done our utmost to stop this war. We hope that the future of this generation of Palestinian children will be better than its past and its present. They might be the generation born into suffering to then become the first generation to live in its independent state. For this noble goal, we will continue to give our all. Thank you, Mr. President.


Algeria · President of the Security Council [2:51:44]:

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