The United Nations Security Council on Friday held an open meeting on the Palestine-Israel conflict at the UN headquarters in New York City, ahead of the vote to a resolution on a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
During the open session, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he wrote to the Security Council invoking Article 99 of the United Nations Charter on Wednesday, as the situation in Gaza is at a breaking point with a high risk of the total collapse of the humanitarian support system, which could lead to “devastating consequences”.
“The people of Gaza are looking into the abyss. The international community must do everything possible to end their ordeal. I urge the Council to spare no effort to push for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, for the protection of civilians, and for the urgent delivery of lifesaving aid. While we deal with the current crisis, we cannot lose sight of the only viable possibility for a peaceful future: a two-State solution, on the basis of United Nations resolutions and international law, with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security,” said Guterres.
Attending the meeting, Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the UN, noted the call made by Guterres fully demonstrated the gravity and urgency of the current situation and his sense of responsibility. He said that the situation and tasks in front of the Council have been very clear and definitive — to act immediately for a ceasefire, protect the civilians, and avoid a humanitarian catastrophe on a larger scale.
The Chinese envoy also emphasized that only a ceasefire can create the necessary conditions for reviving the political prospects for the two-State solution which is the fundamental way toward peaceful coexistence of two States, Palestine and Israel, and lasting peace in the Middle East.
Zhang said any action that would allow the current conflict to drag on will only sow the seeds of hatred between the two sides, make the situation further deteriorate and do more damage to the political prospects of the two-State solution.
He then called on the Council to act urgently without any procrastination to bring about a ceasefire and protect the civilians.
“China strongly calls upon all members to adopt a responsible approach, support the Council to make the right decision between war and peace and between life and death. We must act for peace and act to save lives,” said Zhang.
Also, at the meeting, Riyad Mansour, permanent observer of the State of Palestine, thanked Guterres over his support for the people of Palestine, adding that the Israeli military operation in Gaza has led to a humanitarian disaster, which would not bring the security that Israel is looking for.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan said the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip was caused by Hamas, not Israel. He added that Israel would continue its military operation in Gaza until Hamas lost its military capability.
(Inputs from Reuters)