Several ambassadors withdrew from a United Nations Security Council session focused on aid shipments to Gaza following the commencement of a speech by Israel’s UN representative, Gilad Erdan.
According to the information, most of the diplomats who left during the Israeli ambassador’s speech were Arabs. In his address, Erdan stated that “calling for a ceasefire would allow Hamas to continue in power,” emphasizing that “this is not the war Israel chose. But we will defend our future just as each one of you defends the future of your country.”
With the presence of the Iranian Foreign Minister at the Security Council meeting, Erdan seized the opportunity to repeat the Israeli narrative about the alleged Iranian threat, stating, “The extension of the conflict does not happen magically. It was planned and instructed.” Erdan claimed that the recent interception by the United States of a boat heading to Yemen “is clear evidence of who is the mastermind behind these developments. Iran always stands in the shadows and controls things. Every country in the region has been affected by Iran’s claws of terrorism. And it will stop at nothing to expand its Shiite dominance.
The current situation in Gaza, as of January 2024, is extremely dire and marked by intense conflict and humanitarian crisis. The Israeli army’s attacks in Gaza have been devastating, resulting in a high number of casualties. According to a report by Al Jazeera, the death toll since October 7, 2024, has reached over 25,000 with more than 60,317 wounded. This includes a significant number of children and civilians. In one instance, an overnight Israeli army attack on a house in Rafah killed 14 Palestinians, including a two-year-old girl.
The humanitarian situation is alarming, with Gazans facing severe food shortages and a health crisis. UN human rights experts have reported that 80% of people facing famine or catastrophic hunger worldwide are now in Gaza. Every single person in Gaza is reportedly hungry, with a quarter of the population starving and struggling to find food and drinkable water. The situation is particularly critical for pregnant women, who are not receiving adequate nutrition and healthcare, and for all children under five, who are at high risk of severe malnutrition. The risk of famine conditions continues to increase, threatening an entire generation with physical and cognitive impairments due to stunting. Israel’s continued bombardment and siege have led to the destruction of Gaza’s food system and the use of food as a weapon against the Palestinian people, as per the experts.
International efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza have been ongoing and intense. Several countries and international organizations have been actively involved in calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the region, which has been experiencing a devastating conflict for about four months.
The UN Security Council has seen active participation from several countries in demanding a halt to the ongoing conflict. Countries like Norway, Belgium, Russia, and China have voiced strong concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They have emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians, highlighting issues such as hunger, insufficient healthcare services, and lack of access to clean water. There have been calls for respecting international humanitarian law, non-targeting of civilians, and the opening of all crossings to ensure the passage of humanitarian aid without obstacles. The Chinese and Russian representatives particularly stressed the importance of ending the war as soon as possible to prevent further escalation in the region.
