Statement by Ambassador Trishala Persaud, Deputy Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, at Security Council meeting on the “Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”
Madame President,
I thank you for organizing today’s briefing and Ms. Kaag for the updates provided on her work pursuant to the mandate outlined in resolution 2720. The pressing need for a ceasefire in Gaza is driven home forcefully once again in what has been laid out to the Council this afternoon.
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip continues to worsen as it remains subjected to Israeli bombardments from air, land and sea. The death toll stands at a staggering thirty-four thousand plus. The number of those injured has surpassed seventy-seven thousand. These figures should shock our collective conscience and compel us to bring this war to an immediate and just end after more than two hundred days of unimaginable horror.
Madame President,
The provisions of resolution 2720 are clear on the obligations of parties to the conflict. They must comply with international law, including international humanitarian law. This entails ensuring, inter alia, the protection of civilians and civilian objects, humanitarian access, and the protection of humanitarian personnel and their freedom of movement. It also entails upholding the obligation to ensure the provision at scale of urgently needed basic humanitarian services and humanitarian assistance. These obligations have not been met in clear defiance of the legally binding orders issued by the International Court of Justice on 26 January and 28 March 2024.
Of particular note is the order of the ICJ that Israel take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full co-operation with the United Nations, the unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance, “including by increasing the capacity and number of land crossing points and maintaining them open for as long as necessary.” The unavailability of sufficient land crossings remains a major hindrance to humanitarian efforts in Gaza, compounded by excessive inspection processes. Guyana reminds Israel of its obligations to allow, facilitate and enable the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale directly to the civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip. We call on Israel to honour those obligations. We take note of Ms. Kaag’s extensive efforts in extremely challenging circumstances, including towards the establishment of the UN mechanism and reiterate Guyana’s continued support for those efforts.
Guyana also stresses the importance of guaranteeing the safety of humanitarian personnel for scaling up humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip. An unprecedented number of humanitarian workers have been killed in this war, principally because of non-compliance with international humanitarian law. Humanitarian workers have been directly attacked as seen in the killing of the seven World Central Kitchen team members. Others have fallen victim to indiscriminate shelling because deconfliction and notification mechanisms are not functioning adequately.
Madame President,
Allow me to draw the Council’s attention to three important points.
First, while it is crucial to scale up humanitarian support and increase access across Gaza, this alone will not save lives. For humanitarian assistance to be delivered effectively and at scale in a sustainable manner, there must be a permanent ceasefire.
Second, Palestinians must not be expected to subsist on humanitarian aid for any lengthy period of time. For the preservation of their dignity, conditions must be created for them to build their own livelihoods. Reestablishing the means for trade and for the market to thrive is essential. I stress again that a secure environment is paramount for this to happen.; A ceasefire is indispensable. Deciding to increase humanitarian support to Gaza while delaying a decision about a ceasefire is self-defeating.
Third, Guyana reiterates the need for accountability. There is perhaps no greater deterrent than accountability. Where accountability is lacking, impunity thrives, emboldening perpetrators to the detriment of all. In the case of Gaza, impunity has brought disproportionate consequences for women and children – who are the vast majority of those being killed and maimed.
Madame President,
I conclude by observing that the scale of devastation visited upon Gaza has created a multidimensional crisis which requires a multidimensional approach that takes account of immediate and future needs. Guyana is prepared to work with this Council to design and facilitate implementation of that approach. At the heart of that approach must be the creation of a free and independent State of Palestine in accordance with the pre-1967 lines. This is our duty.
I thank you.
