Let me start by underlining that the ceasefire between Israel and Iran offers a much-needed moment of hope for the region.
This hope must extend to Gaza. We need a ceasefire now.
This remains the most credible path to end the terrible suffering of hostages and their families, to end Hamas’ control of Gaza and to allow Palestinians to rebuild.
We also need a ceasefire because the suffering in Gaza is appalling and cannot continue.
Israel’s aid delivery measures are inhumane.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s operations which are supposed to be saving lives, are themselves leading to mass casualties.
Starving people who are desperate to feed their families are told food awaits them.
But over 500 have reportedly been killed trying to access it.
And meanwhile, UNICEF reports that more than 5000 children between the age of six months and five years old were admitted for acute malnutrition in May alone.
It is truly appalling.
We are also deeply concerned by reports that Hamas has targeted Gaza Humanitarian Foundation staff and by reports of widespread looting by criminal gangs, which are undermining security around aid distribution.
This is unacceptable.
The more desperate people become, the more disorder becomes inevitable. The UN can deliver aid at scale without endangering civilians.
Israel must let the UN save lives, open all access routes and allow fuel into Gaza.
In addition, humanitarian workers need to operate in safety.
Just last week, another ICRC staff member was killed, a tragic reminder of the risks they face.
We have repeatedly called for credible Israeli investigations into Israel’s killing of aid workers, including World Central Kitchen, the Palestinian Red Crescent, and the UNOPS strike.
Israel must provide accountability for these terrible actions and ensure they are not repeated, in line with its obligations under international law.
Finally, amidst the bloodshed in Gaza, the situation in the West Bank is also deteriorating.
Israel’s withholding of tax revenues appears a deliberate effort to leave the Palestinian Authority crippled and unable to pay salaries.
Military operations have displaced over 40,000 people.
Just last week, an attack by violent settlers on Kafr Malik led to the killing of three Palestinians.
We condemn settlement expansion and settler violence and we demand that the Israeli government puts an immediate end to these unlawful acts.
We cannot stand by while the foundations of a two-state solution are systematically dismantled.
Madam President, it is time to bring the war in Gaza to an end, and to get the hostages home.
And more than that, we must renew our collective efforts toward a just and lasting two-state solution, in which Israelis and Palestinians can both live side by side in peace and security.
It is beyond time to come together behind a sustainable end to this conflict, which has blighted so many generations on both sides.
