The UN Security Council convened an emergency session on Friday at the request of the UAE on the issue of "escalation in the West Bank; ' settler violence'" and reporting on "Israeli raids in West Bank cities."
For the first time since 1989: UN secretary-general invokes rare clause and Security Council convenes to debate war
Deputy Undersecretary General for the Middle East, Mohammed Khiri, said: "The situation in the Middle East is worrisome and includes a number of conflicts. In Gaza, Israel fights against Hamas and other armed groups. Hamas continues to launch rockets indiscriminately at Israel. Civilians on both sides bear the burden of the conflict. The risk of the conflict spilling over into the region is high in light of the number of players involved."
Khiri also addressed the situation on the northern border and other sectors: "Daily violations of fire on the Blue Line add to the tensions. Some of the airstrikes took place deep inside Israeli and Lebanese territory. All players must return to the framework of Resolution 1701. Strikes in Iraq and Syria are conducted on a daily basis, with US airstrikes. The Houthis' threat to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea poses a major threat, a danger to Yemen's economy and the world, and an impact on supply chains."
"Great threat", Houthi security forces member in the background of a ship in the Red Sea, photo: AP.
Khiri added that "action must be taken to advance the parties to dialogue and negotiations. We must restore a political horizon and a two-state solution, with Gaza being an integral part of the Palestinian state based on the '67 borders and Jerusalem as a joint capital."
Also participating in the discussion was Itai Epstein, attorney, former CEO of Amnesty International Israel, now an advisor to Norwegian Refugee Council, who called on the Council to condemn Hamas terrorism against Israeli civilians and call for the immediate release of the abductees.
"Call for the immediate release of the abductees", rally for the release of the abductees, photo: Yehoshua Yosef
Epstein later attacked Israeli activity in Gaza. "We must stop the Israeli attacks from which Gazans have no escape. Indiscriminate Israeli attacks. Huge levels of casualties right now in Gaza. The Israeli army is pushing Gazans to the borders – to Egypt – and this borders on the forcible transfer of Gazans. They don't allow security, shelter, or a place to return."
"Armed settlers in the West Bank continue their violent campaign against Palestinians," Epstein added. "In recent months, entire communities have been forced to be uprooted from their homes, and the Israeli authorities do almost nothing about it – and sometimes even encouraged by Israeli officials."
IDF attack in the Gaza Strip, photo: AP
The deputy Palestinian representative to the UN said at the hearing: "'The residents of Gaza suffer an existential threat. The killers are demanding an apology for accusations of their crimes. They demand that the world recognize that they have the most moral army in the world. Israel promotes history that condemns them and uses the Holocaust to justify the collective killing of civilians."
"Israel will never be prosecuted for its crimes. Eight thousand Palestinians are still buried under the rubble," he added. "Israel wants to ensure that Gazans have nowhere to return – promoting voluntary migration – code name for forced displacement. The options are death or displacement."
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