Iraq’s Representative Delivers a Statement on Behalf of Arab Group at Security Council Session on Humanitarian Situation in Gaza Strip

The Security Council held a briefing session to discuss the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression, on July 26. The Council hosted the Deputy Commissioner General of UNRWA and the Humanitarian Coordinator in Palestine, the member states of the Council pointed to the scale of the humanitarian tragedy and the serious violations affecting the Palestinian people, stressing the importance of a ceasefire to save civilians and deliver humanitarian aid. The Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations in New York Dr. Abbas Kadhom Obaid, delivered a statement on behalf of the Arab Group as its chairman, explaining that the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has caused an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, according to the description of all United Nations agencies and international relief organizations operating on the ground, despite the repeated warnings and appeals issued by these organizations, affirming that the Gaza Strip has become a disaster area unfit for habitation, and that conditions are worsening, especially among children, as a result of being subjected to continuous military attacks by the Israeli occupation forces, which has led to mass forced displacement and an increase in the number of civilian casualties, the closure of the main crossings and the imposition of more restrictions, which has led to the cessation of medical evacuation operations and the cutting of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He added that in light of the scarcity of medical and health care, the spread of diseases, and the shortage of food and medicine, the Israeli occupation forces are pursuing a systematic policy of making famine a weapon of war and humanitarian aid a pressure card, which has exacerbated the extent of human suffering in the Gaza Strip due to the continued war of extermination waged by the occupation forces against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, violating all international standards, including relevant Security Council resolutions. In the speech, the Council called for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and a more serious and decisive response to the humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip, as we cannot witness this shocking suffering due to the continued closure and even destruction of the crossings and the obstruction of the distribution of aid within the Gaza Strip. He also called for full compliance with international humanitarian law, opening all access points into Gaza for humanitarian and commercial supplies, and meeting the basic humanitarian needs of civilians. He expressed gratitude to all humanitarian organizations operating in the Gaza Strip despite all the risks and challenges, and for their determination to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians, and to provide support and solidarity with these institutions and their staff in their human mission, foremost among them the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.