<\/p>\n
31 July 2024<\/p>\n
Alarmed by this morning\u2019s killing of Hamas\u2019 leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which comes on the heels of several recent escalatory events in the Middle East, the UN top political affairs official called today for diplomatic efforts to change the region\u2019s trajectory towards peace and stability.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe international community must work together to prevent any actions that could make the conflict much bigger and wider very quickly,\u201d said Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, as she briefed the Security Council.<\/p>\n
Earlier today, Mr.\u00a0Haniyeh was killed in Tehran where he had been at the invitation of Iran\u2019s Government, to attend the inauguration ceremony of the president-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian.\u00a0 In a letter to the Council President, Iran accused Israel of carrying out the attack, citing it as a \u201cserious infringement\u201d of its sovereignty and territory integrity.<\/p>\n
Urging regional de-escalation, she said that \u201cwhile violence continues unabated in Gaza after months of relentless diplomatic efforts, the situation across the Blue Line and inside Lebanon is on an increasingly worrying path\u201d.\u00a0 In a tragic incident on 27\u00a0July, 12\u00a0children were killed, and dozens injured in an apparent strike on a soccer field in the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan.<\/p>\n
On 30\u00a0July, the Israel Defense Forces claimed a \u201ctargeted strike\u201d in Beirut that killed a Hizbullah commander, Fuad Shukr, allegedly responsible for the deaths in Majdal Shams, she said, noting that at least five people were killed, including two children, and many more injured.<\/p>\n
In the ensuing discussion, numerous Council members sounded the alarm over the escalations during the past 48\u00a0hours in the Middle East, warning that developments in Iran and Lebanon could plunge the region into even greater despair.<\/p>\n
Among them was Algeria\u2019s delegate who condemned the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh by Israel as \u201cnot merely an attack on one man\u201d, but \u201ca vicious assault on the very foundations of diplomatic relations, the sanctity of State sovereignty and the principles that underpin our global order\u201d.\u00a0 He called on Israel to completely and irrevocably end its occupation of Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese territories.<\/p>\n
Underscoring the need to respect international law, Sierra Leone\u2019s delegate also condemned the killing on Iranian territory as violating that country\u2019s territorial integrity and sovereignty. \u00a0Recalling the International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan\u2019s filing of applications for arrest warrants against Mr.\u00a0Haniyeh, he stated:\u00a0\u201cIf there was ever a quest for justice, that is the justice and accountability our multilateral system based on the rule of law allows for, and not by unlawful killing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Israel\u2019s delegate said that Tehran \u2014 \u201cthe very engine driving the machinery of death and destruction that threatens us all\u201d \u2014 has used its proxies to target his country and its citizens from every direction.\u00a0\u201cWhere were the condemnations of Hizbullah and their Iranian supplier for the butchery of the innocent children\u201d playing in the Druze town of Majdal Shams, he asked. \u00a0On Israel\u2019s precise strike against Hizbullah commander Fu\u2019ad Shukr, he said this operation sends a clear message:\u00a0 \u201cWe will defend ourselves and respond with great force against those who harm us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The speaker for the United States reiterated Israel\u2019s right to defend itself against attacks from terrorists, stating: \u00a0\u201cThat is precisely what it did\u201d on 30\u00a0July when it independently responded to Hizbullah\u2019s 28\u00a0July attack, which killed 12\u00a0children. \u00a0He emphasized that Washington, D.C., was not involved with Israel\u2019s response on 30\u00a0July in Lebanon and in the apparent death of the Hamas leader.<\/p>\n
Also expressing support for Israel\u2019s right to self-defence, his counterpart from the United Kingdom rejected the attempts of Tehran and its proxies \u2014 including Hizbullah and the Houthis \u2014 to use the suffering of those in Gaza as justification for further violence.\u00a0 Calling for diplomatic negotiations, she asserted that \u201clong-term peace will not be secured by bombs and bullets\u201d.<\/p>\n
Rejecting this narrative, the representative of the Russian Federation, Council President for July, spoke in his national capacity to warn against the dangerous consequences of the assassination of Hamas\u2019 political leader, including dragging Iran into regional confrontation.\u00a0 This is \u201ca serious blow to mediation negotiations between Hamas and Israel towards a ceasefire in Gaza\u201d, he stated, underscoring that \u201cthe key to de-escalation is an end to the bloodshed in [the Strip]\u201d.<\/p>\n
The representative of Syria said that, a few days ago, the Israeli occupying entity perpetrated a horrific crime in Majdal Shams, which belongs to her country. \u00a0The territory\u2019s Arab Syrians reject Israeli occupation.\u00a0 Despite its attempts to cover up this crime, Israel is responsible, he said, adding that \u2014 under Article\u00a051 of the UN Charter \u2014 an occupying entity cannot claim self-defence.<\/p>\n
The Deputy Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh \u2014 former Palestinian Prime Minister and head of the Political Bureau of Hamas \u2014 as \u201cthe criminal breach\u201d of Iran\u2019s territorial integrity and sovereignty.\u00a0 Israel openly declares its intentions to carry on with its scorched-earth killing and destruction spree in Gaza, she said, calling for full accountability for all the crimes perpetrated, and support for the Palestinian people to end the illegal occupation and apartheid regime.<\/p>\n
Israel\u2019s aggression reached \u201cour capital, Beirut\u201d, said Lebanon\u2019s delegate, warning against its objective to drag its allies into a regional war with disastrous consequences. \u00a0\u201cLebanon and its people do not want war,\u201d he declared, urging Israel to withdraw from lands that it continues to occupy and stop violating his country\u2019s sovereignty by ground, sea and air. \u00a0He described Tuesday\u2019s aggression by Israel targeting the southern suburb of Beirut as \u201cthe most dangerous chapter of the conflict so far\u201d.<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s delegate said Israel\u2019s assassination of Ismail Haniyeh is yet another manifestation of that country\u2019s decades-long pattern of terrorism targeting Palestinians and their supporters.\u00a0 \u201cPalestinian resistance groups like Hamas and other resistance groups in the region are not terrorists\u201d, but legitimate groups under international law, established to fight against occupation, he said.<\/p>\n
He further underscored that Washington, D.C. \u2014 Israel\u2019s strategic ally \u2014 has a responsibility, and this act could not have happened without its authorization and support.\u00a0 For nearly 10\u00a0months, certain countries \u2014 particularly the United States \u2014 have shielded Israel from any responsibility for the massacre in Gaza and other malicious activities in the region, shamelessly justifying the Israeli genocide under the pretext of self-defence.\u00a0 Urging the Council to hold Israel accountable, he asserted that Iran \u201creserves its inherent right to self-defence, in accordance with international law to respond decisively to this terrorist and criminal act when it deems necessary and appropriate\u201d.<\/p>\n
ROSEMARY DICARLO,\u00a0Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs<\/u><\/strong>, briefing the Council on alarming developments in the Middle East, said that, earlier today, Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas\u2019 political bureau, was killed, together with a bodyguard in Tehran. \u00a0Mr.\u00a0Haniyeh had been in Tehran, at the invitation of Iran\u2019s Government, to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new President, Masoud Pezeshkian.\u00a0 In a letter to the Council President today, Iran accused Israel of carrying out an attack that killed Mr.\u00a0Haniyeh and claimed it was a \u201cserious infringement\u201d of Iran\u2019s sovereignty and territory integrity and constituted a \u201cblatant violation\u201d of international law.\u00a0 Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader and other senior officials have vowed to avenge Mr.\u00a0Haniyeh\u2019s death, warning Israel of \u201charsh punishment [\u2026] intended to instil deep regret in the perpetrator.\u201d \u00a0Various non-State armed groups aligned with Iran across the region have also threatened to retaliate against Israel, she added.<\/p>\n In a live broadcast to the nation a few hours ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had launched strikes against three fronts, including Hamas, Hizbullah and the Houthis. \u00a0He emphasized that Israel was fighting an existential war with Iran. \u00a0Today\u2019s strike in Tehran follows in the wake of several recent escalatory events in the region. \u00a0\u201cWhile violence continues unabated in Gaza after months of relentless diplomatic efforts, the situation across the Blue Line and inside Lebanon is on an increasingly worrying path,\u201d she said.\u00a0 In a tragic incident on 27\u00a0July, 12\u00a0children were killed, and dozens injured in an apparent strike on a soccer field in the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan.<\/p>\n She said that according to Israel Defense Forces, an Iranian-made Falaq-1 rocket was fired by Hizbullah from north of Shebaa village in southern Lebanon. \u00a0The strike \u2014 for which Hizbullah denied responsibility \u2014 followed months of increasingly intense exchanges across the Blue Line with Lebanon and hundreds of aerial attacks toward Israel from various locations across the region that Israel has attributed to Iran-backed forces. \u00a0On 30\u00a0July, the Israel Defense Forces issued a statement claiming a \u201ctargeted strike\u201d in Beirut on a Hizbullah commander allegedly responsible for the deaths in Majdal Shams.\u00a0 Hizbullah confirmed that a senior commander, Fuad Shukr \u2014 also known as Hajj Mohsin \u2014 was killed.\u00a0 According to Lebanon\u2019s Ministry of Health, at least five people were killed, including two children, in the attack and many more injured.<\/p>\n She observed that the various attacks over the past few days have taken place amidst the ongoing war and a catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Hamas continues to hold hostages abducted from Israel on 7\u00a0October\u00a02023.\u00a0 Most recently, on 27\u00a0July, an Israeli strike, killing dozens, including children, took place on a school in Deir al Balah where thousands of displaced Palestinians were sheltering. \u00a0\u201cThis was yet another reminder of the terrible toll of the war on civilians,\u201d she stated. \u00a0Earlier today, an Al-Jazeera journalist and his cameraman were killed reportedly by an Israeli air strike in Gaza while they were reporting from Mr.\u00a0Haniyeh\u2019s home.<\/p>\n Echoing the words of the UN Secretary-General who has \u201cconsistently called for maximum restraint by all\u201d, she said that \u201cit is increasingly clear, however, that restraint alone is insufficient at this extremely sensitive time\u201d. \u00a0Diplomatic efforts to change the trajectory and seek a path towards regional peace and stability are urgently needed, she said, stressing that \u201ccommunication by means of missiles, armed drones and other deadly attacks must end\u201d.\u00a0 Instead, she called for regional de-escalation and underscored that \u201cthe international community must work together to prevent any actions that could make the conflict much bigger and wider very quickly\u201d.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0China<\/u><\/strong>, condemning the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, said it is \u201ca blatant attempt to sabotage peace efforts\u201d and a violation of State sovereignty and territorial integrity.\u00a0 Expressing concern about the exacerbation of the upheaval in the region, he added that, despite the adoption of Council resolution\u00a02735\u00a0(2024), ceasefire negotiations have not yet yielded results.\u00a0 Highlighting the tensions between Israel and Lebanon, as well as Syria and the situation in the Red Sea, he expressed objections to Israel\u2019s attack on southern Beirut, and stressed that the continued deterioration is directly attributable to the inability to implement a ceasefire. \u00a0Israel must stop its collective punishment of Gaza, and countries with influence must do their part \u201cto put out the flames of war\u201d, he added.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Algeria<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0condemned the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh by Israel as \u201cnot merely an attack on one man\u201d, but \u201ca vicious assault on the very foundations of diplomatic relations, the sanctity of State sovereignty and the principles that underpin our global order\u201d.\u00a0 Israel has embraced a blood-shedding, scorched-earth policy, leaving destruction in its wake \u2014 a relentless tide of violence flooding Gaza, the West Bank, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and now Iran.\u00a0 \u201cThese are not acts of self-defence,\u201d he said, calling for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and the lifting of the inhumane blockade of the Strip.\u00a0Israel must completely and irrevocably end its occupation of Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese territories, he demanded, also urging full accountability for the occupying Power\u2019s heinous war crimes and egregious human rights violations and unwavering compliance with all Security Council resolutions.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Guyana<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0warned that \u201cthe situation in the Middle East is approaching a boiling point\u201d. \u00a0It appears that some regional actors are intent on returning to the days where scores \u2014 real or imagined \u2014 were settled by the most brutal means, she said, adding that \u201cwe cannot afford to resort to primitive approaches to settling disputes\u201d. \u00a0Accordingly, she condemned the constant disregard for international law in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including the recent violations of both Iran\u2019s and Lebanon\u2019s territorial integrity and sovereignty.\u00a0 However, she pointed out, \u201cit will be a grave mistake to view the recent incidents in isolation to what is taking place in the Gaza Strip\u201d. \u00a0All the illegalities that have stemmed from various fronts in the Middle East since 7\u00a0October\u00a02023 must be seen through the prism of the ongoing war in Gaza \u2014 \u201ca war that continues to mutilate and annihilate innocent civilians, the majority of whom are women and children, [and] continues to kill journalists and aid workers at unprecedented levels\u201d, she stated.<\/p>\n The representative of the\u00a0Republic of Korea<\/u><\/strong>, recalling his delegation\u2019s concerns about the escalation of conflict in the region, said: \u00a0\u201cSuch anxieties have now become a reality.\u201d \u00a0While the ceasefire deal in Gaza remains unrealized, there have been attacks in the occupied Golan Heights and subsequent Israeli attacks on southern Beirut. \u00a0Such incidents may result in an irreversible spiral of hostilities, he said, adding that these escalations have also affected the efforts to bring about a ceasefire and enable humanitarian aid access in Gaza. \u00a0Stressing the need for an urgent ceasefire, he said the choices that major players make next can \u201cfundamentally alter the political and security landscape in the Middle East\u201d. \u00a0Appealing for de-escalation, he called on the major actors to act with utmost restraint.<\/p>\n The representative of the\u00a0United States<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0underscored Israel\u2019s right to defend itself against attacks from Hizbullah and other terrorists. \u00a0\u201cThat is precisely what it did\u201d on 30\u00a0July when it independently responded to Hizbullah\u2019s 28\u00a0July attack, which killed 12\u00a0children. \u00a0Washington, D.C., was not involved with Israel\u2019s response on 30\u00a0July in Lebanon. \u00a0Hizbullah is not the only Iranian-backed group in the region taking advantage of the situation in Gaza to undermine regional peace and security. \u00a0The Houthis are brazenly violating international law with their attacks on commercial and merchant vessels in the Red Sea. \u00a0The United States was not involved in the apparent death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and has no independent confirmation as to Hamas\u2019 claims regarding his death, he said. \u00a0For its part, the United States will continue to lead the way in diplomatic efforts to end the war in Gaza and reduce regional tensions.\u00a0 Preventing a broader regional war starts with finalizing an agreement for an immediate ceasefire with the release of hostages in Gaza, he said, pledging that his country will continue to work in partnership with Egypt, Qatar and other regional partners to seek to deliver an agreement.\u00a0 He then urged Council members with direct influence over Iran to increase pressure on it to stop escalating its proxy conflict against Israel and other actors.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Mozambique<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0condemned today\u2019s air strike in Iran, which resulted in the death of Hamas\u2019 leader Ismail Hanieth, voicing concern that \u201cthis tragic event can potentially inflame the tensions between Israel and its neighbours and trigger conflicts with far-reaching negative impacts on regional and international peace and security\u201d.\u00a0 He urged both parties to exercise maximum restraint and approach the situation with high caution to prevent further escalation of the conflict.\u00a0 The current events can compromise diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching an agreement leading to a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages still under Hamas captivity, he warned. \u00a0He emphasized that Israel must comply with international legal standards and agreements, including the International Court of Justice rulings. \u00a0Furthermore, the Council must continue to closely monitor the situation and take all possible measures to prevent any further escalation that may result from this attack.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0France<\/u><\/strong>, expressing alarm about the possibility of a conflagration in the Middle East, said Iran must stop supporting destabilizing actors.\u00a0 Her country is committed to regional stability and the security of its regional partners, she said, adding that everything must be done to avoid a war with devastating consequences. \u00a0Her Government has conveyed this to the actors concerned, she said, also expressing condolences to the civilian victims of the attacks that took place in the Syrian Golan. \u00a0Reaffirming support for the mandate of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon\u00a0(UNIFIL), she said this is crucial for de-escalation in Lebanon. \u00a0Calling for an immediate ceasefire, and the release of all hostages, she stressed that only a two-State solution is viable.<\/p>\n The representative of the\u00a0United Kingdom<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0urged calm and called for immediate restraint, stating that her country\u2019s Foreign Secretary is in the region reiterating this call and encouraging de-escalation. \u00a0\u201cThe path to peace must be through diplomatic negotiations,\u201d she said, adding: \u00a0\u201cLong-term peace will not be secured by bombs and bullets.\u201d\u00a0 She noted Iran\u2019s role in destabilizing the region through its use of proxies including Lebanese Hizbullah and the Houthis, citing reckless attacks launched by the Houthis against Tel Aviv and Hizbullah rockets fired on innocent children in Majdal Shams.\u00a0 \u201cThese attacks are enabled by the continued supply of advanced weaponry by Iran, especially missiles, to proxy groups,\u201d she said, adding: \u00a0\u201cThis must cease.\u201d \u00a0Expressing support for Israel\u2019s right to defend itself, she rejected Iran\u2019s and their proxies\u2019 attempts to use the suffering of those in Gaza as justification for further violence.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Japan<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0expressed concern that \u201cthe region is closer than ever to a large-scale conflict that would be difficult to contain\u201d.\u00a0 The events of the past few days have shown how fragile the situation is, she observed, condemning the reported rocket attack on 27\u00a0July that killed 12\u00a0children and youth and wounded many others in the Golan Heights.\u00a0 Noting Israel\u2019s air strike in Beirut on 30\u00a0July, as well as the news of the killing of Hamas\u2019 leader Ismail Haniyeh last night, she stated:\u00a0 \u201cLet us not forget that the conflict began with the heinous 7\u00a0October\u00a02023 attack on Israel and the taking of hostages by Hamas and other groups.\u201d\u00a0 The ensuing hostilities in Gaza have caused unimaginable suffering for Palestinians and the fighting has reverberated across the region, from the West Bank to Lebanon to Yemen to Syria to Iran, she said, underscoring the need to prevent a wider conflict that \u201cwould only inflict more bloodshed and devastation in the Middle East\u201d.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Switzerland<\/u><\/strong>, rejecting the spiral of violence and urging a return to diplomacy, said all actors and those who have influence over them must show utmost restraint. \u00a0All channels of communication must be used, he said, adding that there is no military solution to the conflict. \u00a0International law, including the United Nations Charter, and the sovereignty of all nations in the region must be respected, he added. \u00a0Stressing that civilians must never be targeted, he reiterated the call for an immediate ceasefire and release of all hostages, and said negotiations must continue in good faith.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Slovenia<\/u><\/strong>, pointing to the death of children in armed conflict, said that \u201cthe life of a Druze child is equal to that of a Gazan child, is equal to that of a Lebanese child, an Israeli child, any child across the world\u201d. \u00a0Calling for maximum restraint by all actors, he said that \u201cthere is no military solution to the crisis that is unfolding before our eyes\u201d. \u00a0The positions expressed by Israel, Lebanon and Iran in letters to the Security Council share a common thread \u2014 a concern for regional stability. \u00a0The Council should pronounce itself on this situation if only to call for de-escalation and the pursuit of dialogue and diplomacy.\u00a0 While the crisis in the Middle East has a long history and a variety of root causes, the latest spiral is being exacerbated by what is happening in Gaza, he said, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the full implementation of resolution\u00a02735\u00a0(2024).<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Malta<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0expressed deep concern about the escalations during the past 48\u00a0hours in the Middle East, warning that \u201cdevelopments in Iran and Lebanon have the potential to spark further conflict and plunge the region into even greater despair\u201d. \u00a0Calling on all parties to exercise restraint, prioritize de-escalation and pursue peaceful solutions to all disputes, she stressed that all remaining hostages must be unconditionally released, and all parties must understand that extrajudicial executions are illegal under international law.\u00a0 \u201cThe prospect of a full-blown regional conflict remains worryingly present,\u201d she observed, adding that \u201cit would lead to a crisis of untold proportions in the region, hitting the most vulnerable, women and children in particular\u201d. \u00a0Underscoring that efforts towards an immediate and permanent ceasefire to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza must not cease, she said that \u201cit is only through the prevention of a regional conflict that we can restore a credible political horizon to address the situation in the Middle East\u201d.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Ecuador<\/u><\/strong>, reiterating calls for restraint and caution, said any actions that can lead to regional destabilization must be avoided. \u00a0Stressing the urgent need for negotiations towards a ceasefire and the release of hostages, he said the immediate implementation of Council resolution\u00a02735\u00a0(2024) is the fastest way to end the violence. \u00a0Further, all parties must work towards a just solution, he said, reaffirming that the two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living in peace, within 1967\u00a0borders, is the only way to definitively end this conflict.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Sierra Leone<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0condemned the killing by Israel of Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian territory as violating the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iran, citing Article\u00a02, Paragraph\u00a04, of the UN Charter, which provides that \u201call members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner, inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations\u201d. \u00a0As a State party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Sierra Leone has followed Court proceedings after Prosecutor Karim Khan\u2019s filing of applications for arrest warrants against Mr.\u00a0Haniyeh.\u00a0 \u201cIf there was ever a quest for justice, that is the justice and accountability our multilateral system based on the rule of law allows for, and not by unlawful killing,\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n The representative of the\u00a0Russian Federation<\/u><\/strong>, Council President for July, spoke in his national capacity to voice concern over the extremely dangerous escalation in the Middle East and condemn the assassination of Hamas\u2019 political leader Ismail Haniyeh.\u00a0 This provocation attack was carried out at a time when he was in Iran, officially invited to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the new President, Masoud Pezeshkian.\u00a0 \u201cThose who are behind this political assassination must know how dangerous the consequences could be for the entire region,\u201d he cautioned, noting that this is \u201ca serious blow to mediation negotiations between Hamas and Israel towards a ceasefire in Gaza\u201d.\u00a0 He warned against efforts to drag Iran into a regional confrontation, noting that it will destabilize a region that is already at a boiling point, stressing that \u201cthe key to de-escalation is an end to the bloodshed in Gaza\u201d.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Iran<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0condemned Israel\u2019s assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the great leader of the Palestinian people\u2019s legitimate struggle for self-determination.\u00a0 Mr.\u00a0Haniyeh was in Teheran on official invitation from his Government to attend the inauguration of the country\u2019s new President, he recalled, adding that he was targeted, alongside his companion, in his residence in Tehran at around 2\u00a0a.m. local time on 31\u00a0July.\u00a0 This is yet another manifestation of Israel\u2019s decades-long pattern of terrorism targeting Palestinians and their supporters, he said. \u00a0But, in addition to its terrorist objective, Israel was \u201calso pursuing a political goal with this act\u201d, aiming to disrupt the first day of his country\u2019s new Government, he added.\u00a0 \u201cThis crime is not isolated,\u201d he said, adding that it is part of a broader pattern of aggression against countries of the region. \u00a0Hours before this heinous crime, Israel\u2019s regime carried out cowardly terrorist attacks in the southern suburbs of Beirut, targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, he noted.<\/p>\n The United States has a responsibility, he stressed, as a strategic ally of Israel.\u00a0 This act could not have happened without its authorization and support. \u00a0Despite the tragic loss of life and the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Council has not taken any action, thus emboldening this callous regime, and encouraging it to commit attacks against other countries in the region.\u00a0 His country has exercised maximum restraint, he said, recalling Israel\u2019s terrorist attack on Iran\u2019s diplomatic premises in Damascus on 1\u00a0April. \u00a0Despite notifications to the Council and the Secretary-General, there were no consequences, he noted. \u00a0A draft press statement proposed by the Russian Federation condemning Israel was blocked by the United States, he pointed out.<\/p>\n For nearly 10\u00a0months, he said, certain countries, particularly the United States, have shielded Israel from any responsibility for the massacre in Gaza and other malicious activities in the region. \u00a0These countries have not only denied the right of Palestinian resistance groups to self-defence against Israeli atrocities, but have also shamelessly justified the Israeli genocide under the pretext of self-defence. \u00a0\u201cPalestinian resistance groups like Hamas and other resistance groups in the region are not terrorists,\u201d he stressed, adding that they are legitimate groups under international law, established to fight against occupation. \u00a0The Council must hold Israel accountable, including by considering the imposition of sanctions, and other measures. \u00a0Iran, he added, \u201creserves its inherent right to self-defence, in accordance with international law to respond decisively to this terrorist and criminal act when it deems necessary and appropriate\u201d.<\/p>\n The Deputy Permanent Observer for the\u00a0State of Palestine<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, former Palestinian Prime Minister and head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, in Tehran on 31\u00a0July, as \u201cthe criminal breach\u201d of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iran.\u00a0 A national day of mourning has been declared in Palestine. \u00a0She also condemned the repeated breaches by Israel of the territorial integrity of Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, including Tuesday\u2019s brazen attack on Beirut. \u00a0Israel openly declares its intentions to carry on with its scorched-earth killing and destruction spree in Gaza, mocking the Security Council, General Assembly and the international community as a whole.\u00a0 The international community must confront this reality and act immediately to stop these crimes and aggressions, she said, declaring: \u00a0\u201cThere is no right that Israel can claim to justify these illegal actions.\u00a0 The right to peace and security is the right of all States [\u2026]; it is not an exclusive right for Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n The Council and all States should uphold their responsibilities and obligations to end Israel\u2019s genocide against the Palestinian people, she asserted, urging them to prevent the former\u2019s continued violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States in the region and avert a regional war.\u00a0She also called for desperately needed humanitarian relief for Palestinians, full accountability for all the crimes perpetrated, and support for the Palestinian people to end the illegal occupation and apartheid regime.\u00a0 \u201cOnly this will fulfil our shared yearning and duty to achieve peace in the Middle East where all peoples can live in security and dignity,\u201d she emphasized.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Israel<\/u><\/strong>, citing the hypocrisy displayed by the Council, said this meeting has been called for by \u201cthe number one sponsor of terrorism\u201d, responsible for the most horrifying barbarism across the region \u2014 Iran.\u00a0 Tehran has used its proxies \u2014 Hamas and Hizbullah \u2014 to target Israel and its citizens from every direction.\u00a0 Just last week, children were innocently playing soccer in the Druze town of Majdal Shams when an Iranian-supplied Hizbullah rocket murdered 12\u00a0of them.\u00a0 \u201cWhere were the condemnations of Hizbullah and their Iranian supplier for the butchery of these innocent children?\u201d, he asked.<\/p>\n Yesterday, Israel carried out a precise strike against Hizbullah commander Fu\u2019ad Shukr \u2014 a senior terrorist with the blood of Israelis and many others on his hands.\u00a0 This operation sends a clear message: \u00a0\u201cWe will defend ourselves and respond with great force against those who harm us.\u201d\u00a0 He emphasized that the world must support Israel at this time.\u00a0 Detailing Iran\u2019s arms supplies to Hizbullah and Hamas, he underscored that the country uses its proxies to the detriment of Israel.\u00a0 Underscoring the need to address the roots of this escalation, he cited Tehran as \u201cthe very engine driving the machinery of death and destruction that threatens us all\u201d.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Syria<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0said that a few days ago, the Israeli occupying entity perpetrated a horrific crime in Majdal Shams, which is Syrian and not Israeli.\u00a0 Stressing that it has been part of the occupied Syrian Golan since\u00a01967, he said this resulted in the death of 12\u00a0Syrian children.\u00a0 The occupying authorities have tried to shirk responsibility and cover up this crime, he said, rejecting all such lies, and reaffirming that the occupied Syrian Golan has and always will be his country\u2019s territory. \u00a0The occupied citizens in that territory are Arab Syrians and they reject Israeli occupation, he said. \u00a0Reiterating that Israel is responsible for this crime, he added that, under Article\u00a051 of the UN Charter, an occupying entity cannot claim that they are defending themselves. \u00a0Rejecting the United States delegate\u2019s statement justifying the occupation of the Syrian Golan because it is essential for Israeli security, he said that the maintenance of international peace and security demands that United States Administrations must renounce their destructive policies.<\/p>\n The Zionist entity has perpetrated yet another crime in Tehran this morning, he said, noting that before that, Israel targeted a residential building in southern Beirut, leading to the martyrdom of several people in this densely populated neighbourhood. \u00a0Expressing solidarity with other States facing Israeli aggression, he said that such actions could lead to a conflagration in the region. \u00a0The genocide perpetrated by Israel in Gaza in the last 10\u00a0months has targeted hospitals, journalists and hundreds of United Nations workers. \u00a0The war criminals from Israel would not have been able to continue their war crimes without the double standards of Western States, he added. \u00a0However, he underscored, such aggressions will not weaken the determination of the people of the region to liberate occupied territories.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Lebanon<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0said that Israel\u2019s aggression reached \u201cour capital, Beirut\u201d.\u00a0 The culprit is the Government of Israel and its Prime Minister. \u00a0The victim is \u201cyour ceasefire resolution\u201d.\u00a0 The objective is to drag Israel\u2019s allies into a regional war with disastrous consequences on peoples and countries, and on the present and the future.\u00a0 \u201cLebanon and its people do not want war,\u201d he said, voicing his country\u2019s commitment to Council resolution\u00a01701\u00a0(2006).\u00a0Lebanon put forth a road map and a vision to reach a solution that would preserve its rights and maintain stability throughout its southern borders. \u00a0This was a courageous initiative to break the cycle of violence and create an environment of dignified living for its people. \u00a0However, his Government has not received any serious response to its proposal.<\/p>\n To implement resolution\u00a01701\u00a0(2006), Israel must withdraw from lands that it continues to occupy and stop violating Lebanon\u2019s sovereignty by ground, sea and air, he asserted, warning that Tuesday\u2019s aggression by Israel targeting the southern suburb of Beirut is \u201cthe most dangerous chapter of the conflict so far\u201d.\u00a0 He also condemned Israel\u2019s assassination operation in Tehran \u201conly hours\u201d after the attack on the Beirut suburb. \u00a0Citing the orders issued by the International Court of Justice, he urged Israel to end its occupation of Arab territories.\u00a0 \u201cNo one believes that the confrontation will end as long as occupation exists,\u201d he said. \u00a0In light of the Council\u2019s continued paralysis and inability to implement its resolutions on Israel, \u201cour faith has been shaken\u201d, he lamented, observing that international legitimacy is no longer enough to maintain peace and security. \u00a0Therefore, \u201cthe Council must amend its approach and take a firm stand before it is too late\u201d.<\/p>\n The representative of\u00a0Iraq<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0underscored that the 7\u00a0October\u00a02023 attacks could not be seen separately from Israel\u2019s occupation, noting that \u2014 after years of conflict, bloodshed and building settlements \u2014 the Council has been unable to find a comprehensive end to it.\u00a0 For decades, the international community has used every track to end the Israeli occupation and its aggressive policies against the Palestinian people.\u00a0 Warning against the escalation of the war and its repercussions for regional peace and security, he said that Israel\u2019s aggression against Palestine, Lebanon and Syria \u201cis no longer self-defence\u201d \u2014 as claimed by that country \u2014 but a reprisal and genocide.\u00a0 Against that backdrop, he urged the Council to assume responsibility, end the war in Gaza, save lives, open border crossings, deliver humanitarian aid and protect the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 31 July 2024 9696TH MEETING (PM) Watch complete video of the meeting\u00a0 Alarmed by this morning\u2019s killing of Hamas\u2019 leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which comes on the heels of several recent escalatory events in the Middle East, the UN top political affairs official called today for diplomatic efforts to change the region\u2019s trajectory 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