Underlining 'Desperation and Scarcity' in Gaza, Special Coordinator Appeals for Ceasefire as Possible Israeli Military Operation Looms Over Rafah
A full-scale Israeli military operation in the densely populated Rafah area — where 1.4 million Palestinians are sheltering near the only point of entry for goods — would be devastating, the head of United Nations peace efforts in the Middle East told the Security Council today, as he appealed for additional access points to northern Gaza to increase the flow of aid and reduce congestion in the south.
Painting a grim picture of the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, recalling his recent visit there, said: “What I saw was shocking and unsustainable.” Amid continuing battles across Gaza, including intensified airstrikes in the Rafah area, over 2 million people face extreme food insecurity while communicable diseases are on the rise. “I cannot stress enough how urgently we need a deal that will bring about a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of hostages,” he asserted.
“This desperation and scarcity has led to a near total breakdown in law and order,” he observed, noting that 84 per cent of health and education facilities are damaged or destroyed and 62 per cent of all roads and electricity feeder lines are unusable. “Keeping Gaza on a drip-feed not only deprives a desperate population of life-saving support, it drives even greater chaos that further impedes humanitarian delivery,” he cautioned, urging that “the only long-term solution for Gaza is political”.
Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières, reported that, for 138 days, doctors and nurses have done everything they can to enact a meaningful humanitarian response, only to watch as a health system they have supported for decades is systematically obliterated and their patients and colleagues are killed and maimed. “We no longer speak of a humanitarian scale-up, we speak of how to survive without even the bare minimum,” he said.
Stating that his organization’s staff choose to continue working amidst increasingly desperate conditions, he noted that — meanwhile — the Council has missed three opportunities to vote for a ceasefire due to vetoes from the United States. He urged that the people in Gaza need such a measure — not when “practicable”, but now. Recalling that medical staff and families were attacked and died two days ago in a place they were told would be protected — and that, today, they are back at work, risking their lives once again — he asked Council members: “What are you willing to risk?”
In the ensuing discussion, Council members warned that extensive military operations in Rafah would lead to calamity. Numerous delegates also voiced concern over the detrimental impact of funding cuts to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) — tantamount to collective punishment for Palestinians — and appealed for continued support of the Agency. Escalating regional tensions in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, the Red Sea and elsewhere are also alarming, many observed.
While echoing concern over the situation in Rafah, Ecuador’s delegate — recalling that the Council’s attention was focused on the West Bank for the first nine months of 2023 — stated: “What is happening in Gaza should not lead us to ignore what continues to happen in that region.” This includes Israel’s settlement activities, the economic crisis and ongoing violence. He added that a humanitarian ceasefire is necessary to alleviate the conditions that Gaza’s civilian population is enduring.
However, there can be no sustainable ceasefire in Gaza without the release of hostages, said the representative of the United States, detailing his country’s diplomatic efforts to that end. While Washington, D.C., has communicated its concern to Israel that a major ground offensive in Rafah would result in civilian harm and destabilize the region, civilians in Gaza would not be in harm’s way if Hamas did not embed itself into them, he asserted.
Expressing hope that the tragic picture of Gaza — as portrayed by Mr. Lockyear — will touch the conscience of a certain Council member, China’s delegate recalled that the United States vetoed a ceasefire draft resolution even though it meant that continued conflict would result in greater catastrophe. Israel must cancel its Rafah offensive and halt its collective punishment of the Palestinian people, he emphasized, calling on the country to open all land, sea and air routes into Gaza.
For his part, the representative of Algeria said that the decision by the World Food Programme (WFP) to suspend its operations in northern Gaza is another indication of the inevitable fate of 300,000 people who will not have anything to eat. On Israel’s crimes in Gaza, he stressed that the will to be free cannot be killed by the atrocities of bombardment, the horrors of destruction, the plots of forced displacement or the scenarios of ethnic cleansing.
“What kind of Council have we become if we remain untouched by the tearful briefing we heard today by the Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières?” asked the representative of Slovenia, criticizing the organ’s failure to rally behind a call for a ceasefire. He stressed that the most fundamental principles of international law are crumbling, underscoring that current violations of the rules of war will endanger the safety of medical and humanitarian personnel in other and future conflicts.
THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION
Briefings
TOR WENNESLAND, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said that, after almost 140 days of devastating war, there is still no end in sight for those impacted by the horrors unleashed on 7 October, nor for the people in Gaza. Recalling his recent visit there, he painted a grim picture of the unfolding tragedy. “What I saw was shocking and unsustainable,” he reported, expressing concern over a possible full-scale Israeli military operation in the densely populated Rafah area, where some 1.4 million Palestinians are sheltering near the only point of entry for goods. “I cannot stress enough how urgently we need a deal that will bring about a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of hostages,” he asserted, urging all concerned — including Israeli authorities — to address the key impediments to the UN’s humanitarian response on the ground.
Calling for safety measures and access points to enable the scaling up of aid, he highlighted his regional and international engagements to support all efforts toward a ceasefire and address the complex humanitarian, security and political crises. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 4,327 Palestinians were killed and over 7,000 were injured in fighting and Israeli operations in the Strip between 18 January and 16 February, bringing the total Palestinian fatalities in the war to more than 28,000. Many of these are women and children. In addition to the approximately 1,200 fatalities on 7 October in Israel, the Israel Defense Forces reported 235 personnel killed in Gaza since ground operations began. 160 UN staff have been killed in Gaza — the largest single loss of life in the Organization’s history.
Battles have continued across Gaza, including intensified airstrikes in the densely populated Rafah area, he continued. Hospitals, schools and other protected sites continue to be severely impacted by military operations, including Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis where 13 Palestinians were killed. Internally displaced persons face acute shortages of food, water, shelter and medicine, communicable diseases are rising amid unsanitary conditions and over 2 million people face extreme food insecurity. “This desperation and scarcity has led to a near total breakdown in law and order,” he stressed, adding that 84 per cent of health and education facilities are damaged or destroyed and 62 per cent of all roads and electricity feeder lines are unusable. “Keeping Gaza on a drip-feed not only deprives a desperate population of life-saving support, it drives even greater chaos that further impedes humanitarian delivery,” he cautioned, appealing for additional access points to northern Gaza to increase the flow of aid and reduce congestion in the south.
While spotlighting ongoing investigations into allegations that 12 staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) were allegedly involved in the 7 October attacks, he recognized that the Agency remains “the backbone of humanitarian response on the ground” and called on donors to guarantee the continuity of its operations. Turning to the occupied West Bank, he said that 27 Palestinians, including eight children, were killed by Israeli security forces. Highlighting the severe risk of further regional escalation, he said that, across the Blue Line, exchanges of fire between Israel and Hizbullah continue to intensify. Firing from Syria towards the Israeli-occupied Golan and strikes by Israel against targets in Syria also continue. Additionally, Houthi forces continue to launch attacks against vessels in the Red Sea, with strikes reported against Houthi targets in Yemen. “The scale of the emergency we are facing is staggering and could quickly spiral out of control in the region,” he warned, noting that “the only long-term solution for Gaza is political”.
CHRISTOPHER LOCKYEAR, Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières, said that people violently forced to Rafah in southern Gaza are bearing the brunt of Israel’s military campaign, living in fear of a ground invasion — fear rooted in experience. Just 48 hours ago, as a family sat around their kitchen table in a house sheltering medical staff and their families in Khan Younis, a 120mm tank shell exploded through the walls, ignited a fire, killed two people and severely burned six others. This happened despite every precaution taken to protect humanitarian staff and family members from such an attack, as warring parties were notified of the location and the building was clearly marked with the medical organization’s flag. “This pattern of attacks is either intentional or indicative of reckless incompetence,” he emphasized.
He went on to report that, for 138 days, doctors and nurses have done everything they can to enact a meaningful humanitarian response, only to watch as a health system they have supported for decades is systematically obliterated and their patients and colleagues are killed and maimed. Calls for more humanitarian assistance have echoed across the Council chamber; yet, in Gaza, there is less and less each day. “We no longer speak of a humanitarian scale-up, we speak of how to survive without even the bare minimum,” he said, declaring: “Attacks on health care are attacks on humanity.” The excuse given is that medical facilities have been used for military purposes, yet “we have seen zero independently verified evidence of this,” he pointed out. Since 7 October, medical workers and patients have been forced to evacuate nine different health facilities, most recently from Nasser Hospital following a raid.
Deploring that surgeons have had no choice but to carry out amputations on children without anaesthesia, he said that medical teams have added a new acronym to their vocabulary: “WCNSF” — wounded child, no surviving family. The psychological injuries they suffered have led children as young as five to say they “would prefer to die”, he recalled, adding that — although his organization’s staff are scared and beyond exhausted — they choose to continue working despite increasing risks. Meanwhile, the Council has missed three opportunities to vote for a ceasefire due to vetoes from the United States and, while that country is preparing a new draft resolution that ostensibly calls such a measure, this is misleading at best. The Council should reject any resolution that further hampers humanitarian efforts on the ground and results in a tacit endorsement of continued violence and mass atrocities in Gaza. The people there need a ceasefire, he underscored — not when “practicable”, but now — and that ceasefire must be sustained, not a “temporary period of calm”. Anything short of this is gross negligence.
Nonetheless, the protection of civilians in Gaza cannot be contingent on Council resolutions that “instrumentalize humanitarianism to blur political objectives”, he said. The responsibility to protect civilians, infrastructure, health workers and hospitals falls first on the parties to the conflict. But it is also a collective responsibility — one that rests with the Council and its members as parties to the Geneva Conventions. The consequences of casting international humanitarian law to the wind will reverberate well beyond Gaza, he stressed, recalling that medical staff and families were attacked and died two days ago in a place they were told would be protected. Today, the organization’s staff are back at work, risking their lives once again for their patients. Demanding the protections promised under international humanitarian law and a ceasefire from both parties, he asked Council members: “What are you willing to risk?”
Statements
The representative of the United States said that the best way to advance an enduring peace is to create an independent Palestinian State that exists side-by-side with Israel. However, this vision faces obstacles, including the holding of hostages by Hamas and other groups, he said, stressing that there can be no sustainable ceasefire in Gaza without the release of such hostages. While noting that high-stakes negotiations do not often yield immediate results, he reported that his country is working with Egypt and Qatar to bring the hostages home. As for the more than 1 million Palestinians in Rafah, Washington, D.C., has been clear that a major ground offensive there would result in civilian harm and destabilize the region. “We have communicated our concern to Israel clearly,” he underscored, adding that civilians in Gaza would not be in harm’s way if Hamas did not embed itself into them.
The representative of the Russian Federation, sounding alarm over the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip, asked: “Can we even bear to hear more?” The unprecedented levels of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict zone have been ongoing for 140 days, he observed, underlining “the colossal figures of losses and devastation”. More than 29,000 people, including women and children, have fallen victim to Israel’s indiscriminate bombardment, and 80 per cent of Gaza’s entire population is now internally displaced. The majority of these people have found refuge in southern Gaza, which the Israeli air force has aggressively bombed. Condemning deliberate policies to expel Palestinians from Gaza, he noted that they will “inevitably result in Gazans breaching the border with Egypt”. Additionally, he condemned the use of force against the sovereign nations of Syria, Iraq and Yemen, spotlighting the direct threat this poses to international peace and security.
The representative of Malta expressed regret that, on 20 February, the Council once again failed to call for a permanent ceasefire. Israel’s announcement that it will be advancing its ground offensive into Rafah is extremely alarming, as is its plan to displace the acutely vulnerable population there. This will only serve to perpetuate the forced displacement of Palestinians and further enflame regional tensions. Some 30,000 people have already been killed, including 12,000 children. Pointing out that not a single medical facility remains fully functional, she stressed that UNRWA’s presence remains essential and that funding cuts to the Agency will have immediate repercussions. In this vein, Malta has just announced an additional contribution to UNRWA, she reported, encouraging others to do the same and calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to allow the necessary space for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.
The representative of Japan, while calling for the immediate release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas and other groups, noted that 75 per cent of Gaza’s population is displaced. He also pointed out that the World Food Programme (WFP) has had to pause food deliveries to northern Gaza, urging Israel to open additional border crossings and secure humanitarian corridors. Further, he called for a humanitarian ceasefire and observed that the conflict is already spreading across the region, with Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, intensified hostilities between Hizbullah and Israel and Houthi attacks against vessels in the Red Sea. It is essential to efficiently conclude investigations concerning UNRWA, he said, adding: “It is high time that we heed the many calls to save lives, including from the ICJ in its legally binding order on the provisional measures.”
The representative of the United Kingdom said that Palestinians are facing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The fighting must stop now. However, she emphasized that “simply calling for a ceasefire now doesn’t make it happen and won’t make it sustainable”. Instead, she called for an immediate suspension in fighting to get aid in and hostages out, and then progress towards a permanent ceasefire. To provide a pathway towards a two-State solution, it is vital to release all hostages, form a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package, and remove Hamas’ capability to launch attacks against Israel. Gravely concerned about the prospect of an Israeli offensive on Rafah, she said that it would have disastrous consequences for half of Gaza’s population sheltering there. She also urged all parties to call for calm and not inflame tensions around the holy sites during Ramadan.
The representative of Switzerland expressed regret over the failure to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and concern about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that a large-scale military offensive in Rafah could have on the civilian population and the delivery of humanitarian aid. Deeply concerned about the effect of the collapse of the health system in Gaza on civilians, including nearly 70,000 wounded, she asserted that “the occupying Power has the duty to ensure the provision of food and medical supplies to the population” under Article 55 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. “This must be done now,” she said, adding that the International Court of Justice has been clear: Israel must take effective measures without delay to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian aid throughout Gaza and it must comply with the Court’s order. “In the short term, we see no alternative to UNRWA in saving lives, providing shelter and organizing assistance to civilians in Gaza,” she added.
The representative of China expressed the hope that the tragic picture of Gaza, as portrayed by the Médecins Sans Frontières briefer, will touch the conscience of a certain Council member. Voicing regret that the United States vetoed a ceasefire draft resolution even though it meant that the continuation of conflict for another day would result in greater catastrophe, he hoped that the new draft its delegation has tabled will respond to the global desire for a ceasefire. The Council must send a message that is clear and unequivocal, instead of beating around the bush, he said, calling on Israel to cancel its Rafah offensive and halt its collective punishment of the Palestinian people. The WFP has had to stop its deliveries due to security threats, he noted, calling on the country to open all land, sea and air routes into Gaza. Independent Palestinian statehood is not a gift to be given as charity, but the inalienable right of the Palestinian people, he pointed out, also expressing concern about the dismissal of the two-State solution by Israeli leaders.
The representative of France called for an urgent ceasefire that guarantees the protection of all civilians and the entry of aid. Expressing concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, he underlined the need to open the Port of Ashdod, a direct land route from Jordan and all access points to the Strip. Additionally, Israeli military operations must stop, he asserted, opposing an offensive in Rafah that can only lead to humanitarian disaster of a new magnitude. He also opposed any forced displacement, which would violate international humanitarian law and risk further regional escalation. Underscoring the need to condemn the 7 October terrorist attacks, he called for the release of all hostages. It is essential to restore a political horizon, he observed, noting that only the two-State solution can build a just and lasting peace. He added that France will continue contributing to maritime security in the Red Sea.
The representative of Ecuador said that the situation in Rafah is a clear reminder that international humanitarian law must be always respected by all. “Adherence to these provisions is not voluntary, and failure to comply brings with it serious consequences,” he said. He demanded full implementation of Council resolutions 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023), the result of arduous negotiations aimed at alleviating the conditions of Gaza’s civilian population, especially women and children. To that end, a humanitarian ceasefire is necessary. During the first nine months of 2023, the Council’s attention was focused on the West Bank. “What is happening in Gaza should not lead us to ignore what continues to happen in that region,” he said, citing Israel’s settlement activities, the economic crisis, and violence. He also urged caution during the upcoming period of religious festivities and respecting the status quo of Jerusalem’s holy places and the role of Jordan as their custodian. “Provocative acts in these places must be avoided at all costs,” he said.
The representative of Slovenia said “a threat of incomprehensible proportions” is looming over the world, as well as the Council itself as the body fails again to rally behind a call for a ceasefire. “What kind of Council have we become if we remain untouched by the tearful briefing we heard today by the Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières?” he asked, stressing that the most fundamental principles of international law, decades in the making, are crumbling. Expressing alarm about the working conditions of medical and humanitarian personnel in Gaza, he said Slovenia just today made an additional €500,000 contribution to UNRWA. The current violations of the rules of war will endanger the safety of medical and humanitarian personnel in other and future conflicts, he warned, noting that Israel has not complied with the Court order for provisional measures. Urging its Government not to carry out the offensive into Rafah, he emphasized that any displacement of the Palestinian population from Gaza would constitute a breach of international laws.
The representative of Sierra Leone said that the war in Gaza continues to rage, causing grievous harm to civilians and threatening regional stability. “It is distressing to note that over 29,000 fatalities have been recorded — a greater percentage being women and children,” he observed. He added that, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), this figure does not include the 1 million children in need of mental health and psycho-social support, nor does it include the 17,000 children unaccompanied or separated from their parents as reported by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Further, he voiced concern over the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the execution of military operations in health-care facilities, including the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Ongoing bombardment and imminent military operations in the Gaza Strip — including the impending attack on Rafah — will exacerbate the current humanitarian situation, he cautioned, calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The representative of the Republic of Korea said that extensive military operations in Rafah would lead to another great calamity. “This must not happen,” he said, adding any forcible transfer of Palestinians outside Palestine, including Gaza, is simply not acceptable. Ramadan is fast approaching. Yet the situation in Gaza has seen little improvement, with 2.2 million people there at imminent risk of famine. Israeli citizens are also suffering, with more than 100 hostages still being held in Gaza. Further, across the Middle East, including Lebanon, the Red Sea, Iraq and Syria, “instability and tensions are at an alarming level”, he warned, calling for a humanitarian ceasefire to stop the atrocities in Gaza and Israel and ease the perilous tension in the region. Even after the current situation ends, agony and sorrow will be deeply rooted in both Palestine and Israel, creating a high risk of relapse. As such, it is high time for the international community, notably this Council, to realize a two-State solution.
The representative of Mozambique noted that escalating hostilities in Gaza have caused a devastating loss of life, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and a humanitarian crisis of enormous proportions, particularly affecting women and children. Calling for secure and unimpeded humanitarian access, he said this is essential to save millions of lives. He also stressed the need for an immediate and urgent humanitarian ceasefire, urging that a temporary cessation of hostilities be followed by a permanent ceasefire. Without that, humanitarian aid cannot be delivered and, further, respecting international humanitarian law is necessary to save innocent civilian lives. Calling for the urgent implementation of the two-State solution, he expressed commitment to Israel and Palestine living side-by-side as good neighbours, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and various Council and General Assembly resolutions.
The representative of Algeria said that the will to be free cannot be killed by the atrocities of bombardment, the horrors of destruction, the plots of forced displacement or the scenarios of ethnic cleansing. The Zionist occupation persists in Palestine, with genocide and war crimes being committed in Gaza, he deplored, declaring: “History will remember those war criminals, the enemies of life and humanity.” The WFP’s decision to suspend its operations in northern Gaza is another indication of the inevitable fate of around 300,000 people who will not have anything to eat. Calling once again for an immediate and durable ceasefire to end this humanitarian tragedy, he rejected any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians and warned that measures to restrict Palestinians’ access to the Aqsa Mosque compound during the holy month of Ramadan may have grave repercussions. These actions risk inflaming a situation that could spiral out of control, he cautioned.
The representative of Guyana, Council President for February, spoke in her national capacity to express regret that the 15-nation body has failed to unite to secure relief for the Palestinian people from a relentless war that has driven the population of Gaza to unprecedented levels of desperation and loss. The blatant disregard for international law — including obligations stemming from international instruments to which the occupying Power is party — is wholly unacceptable. Further, funding cuts to UNRWA are having a detrimental impact given the Agency’s critical work in both Gaza and the West Bank. Such cuts are tantamount to collective punishment for the Palestinian people, she said, appealing for the restoration of funding to UNRWA and for other donors to scale up funding to the Agency. The Council’s actions must match the level of urgency — “people are depending on us to stay alive”, she stressed.