Iraq Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza at UN Security Council Session

 

 
Baghdad - INA

The Charge d’Affaires of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations in New York, Dr. Abbas Kadhom Obaid called on Saturday, for an immediate and sustained ceasefire and a more serious and decisive response to the humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the Security Council held a briefing session on July 26 to discuss the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip resulting from the ongoing Israeli aggression. The session hosted the Deputy Commissioner-General of UNRWA and the Humanitarian Coordinator in Palestine.
 
The Ministry added that Council members highlighted the extent of the humanitarian catastrophe and the severe violations affecting the Palestinian people, emphasizing the importance of a ceasefire to save civilians and deliver humanitarian aid.

 

Obeid, delivering a statement on behalf of the Arab Group as its President, described the Israeli aggression on Gaza as creating an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, according to all UN agencies and international relief organizations operating on the ground, despite repeated warnings and appeals from these organizations.
 
The Iraqi representative confirmed that Gaza has become an uninhabitable disaster area, with conditions worsening especially among children due to continuous military attacks by Israeli forces. This has led to mass forced displacement, an increase in civilian casualties, the closure of main crossings, and the imposition of more restrictions, halting medical evacuations and cutting off humanitarian aid to Gaza.
 
He added that amid scarce medical and health care, the spread of diseases, and shortages of food and medicine, Israeli forces are systematically using famine as a weapon of war and humanitarian aid as leverage, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to the ongoing genocide conducted by Israeli forces against the Palestinian people, violating all international standards including relevant Security Council resolutions.
 
Obeid called on the Council to implement an immediate and sustained ceasefire and to respond more seriously and decisively to the humanitarian suffering in Gaza, stressing that the continuation of the blockade and the destruction of crossings, hindering aid distribution within Gaza, is intolerable.
 
“He urged full compliance with international humanitarian law, opening all entry points to Gaza for humanitarian and commercial supplies, and fulfilling basic humanitarian needs of civilians. Obeid expressed gratitude to all humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza despite the risks and challenges, acknowledging their determination to alleviate Palestinian suffering and extending support and solidarity to these institutions and their staff, notably the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)”, the statement further stated.