Today's Edition
NEW YORK CITY (ALETIHAD)
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, delivered the UAE statement at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East, Including the Palestinian Question. "Our region is witnessing one of the most difficult crises in its modern history," Her Excellency said at the start of her address. She highlighted the three key points that the UAE prioritised during the debate, in light of recent "critical developments".
The first point urged the international community to make strong diplomatic efforts and harness all capabilities to achieve an "immediate and sustainable" ceasefire. "The continuous escalation of Israel's bombing of the Gaza Strip confirms that any delay in ending this war means more casualties, further destruction, and the threat of the conflict's expansion into the region," Al Hashimy stressed, adding that regional armed and extremist groups will try to exploit the conflict to achieve their "destructive" agendas.
"We have recently seen growing tensions in the region, including in southern Lebanon, the occupied Syrian Golan, and the Red Sea. An unchecked slide into regional war risks ominous outcomes that will not only put regional security at stake, but they could extend beyond to affect stability around the world," Her Excellency noted.
Al Hashimy highlighted that regional and international efforts must focus on urgent de-escalation and restoring calm, welcoming the Cairo Peace Summit held last Saturday and "tireless" diplomatic efforts made by regional countries and international efforts.
Discussing the second point, Her Excellency underlined the importance of allowing the "immediate, safe, sustainable, and unhindered" delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and ending the "unjust" blockade, as this is critical for alleviating the "catastrophic humanitarian crisis", worsened due to the lack of electricity, water, and food.
"The shortage in medical supplies and deterioration of the health sector place patients and premature babies in imminent danger. Fuel must also be allowed, as it is essential for operating hospitals and water facilities, among other necessities," she added.
She highlighted the importance of the delivery of aid shipments to the Gaza Strip over the past four days and stressed the need to continue working on delivering more shipments, as the current number of trucks represents only 4% of the volume of commodities received prior to the crisis and does not meet the "massive needs on the ground".
Thirdly, Her Excellency stressed the importance of protecting civilians and civilian objects. "So far, more than 5,000 Palestinians, including 2,000 children, have been killed. More than 60% of population has been displaced in search of shelter, and no place is safe. In addition, 43% of the housing units in Gaza have been destroyed, according to the United Nations," she underlined.
Continuing her address, Al Hashimy said: "As we have stressed since the beginning of this crisis, Israel must not target civilians and civilian objects, including hospitals, schools, and United Nations facilities," expressing the UAE's condemnation of the killing of journalists, humanitarian workers, and medical personnel, as they need to be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law. "We reiterate that the attacks launched by Hamas on October 7 are barbaric and heinous. We demand that Hamas release hostages immediately and unconditionally to stop the bloodshed and spare all civilians from further suffering," she said, emphasising that Hamas' crimes against civilians does not justify Israel's punishments towards the Gaza Strip.
"Israel must respect its obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians," she added.
Her Excellency reiterated the UAE's rejection of Israel's orders to evacuate over 1 million people from Gaza and demanded that these orders be cancelled.
"We also warn against any attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian people from their land, as this can subject them to a new catastrophe or 'Nakba'", she added.
Continuing her address, she noted that the Gaza Strip has been under siege for over 17 years, struck with dire humanitarian issues, while the West Bank has recorded a sharp increase in the number of deaths and settlers against Palestinian civilians.
"This year, Jerusalem has also witnessed an increase in the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by extremists and members of the Israeli government, with the protection of Israeli security forces," Her Excellency added. Al Hashimy stressed that peace and stability depend on preventing all illegal practices, building confidence between the parties, and resuming negotiations.
"The legal and historical status quo of Jerusalem and its holy sites must be preserved, and the role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as the custodian of the holy sites and endowments in the city must also be respected," she said. Her Excellency reflected on the situation following the war in 1967 and the delay of the ceasefire resolution by the Council, saying that "it resulted in creating the world's longest military occupation," which still ongoing.
She reiterated the importance of adopting a resolution that calls for an "immediate and sustained humanitarian ceasefire" and urged the Council to work towards finding a "just, lasting, and comprehensive" solution to this conflict that would allow both peoples to enjoy lasting peace and security. The UAE called for dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and cooperation, as they are crucial for achieving stability in the region, Her Excellency noted.
"Today, humanity is facing a critical test. As responsible and conscious leaders, particularly in this Council, we must succeed in this test by advancing the choice of peace and reviving the two-state solution, which is needed more than ever, to achieve the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. We must confront and address the present crisis instead of just managing it. It is illogical that we repeat the same approach towards this conflict and expect different results," Al Hashimy said, concluding her address.
