Colleagues,

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing and note with appreciation the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334.  The continued non-implementation of that resolution is a matter of serious concern particularly because of the implications for the two-state solution.

Colleagues,

Guyana has taken note of the active steps that the Israeli authorities are taking to advance settlement activities in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, while inevitably reducing Palestinian presence in the area. The advancement or approval of thousands of housing units, moves towards recognizing neighbourhoods in Israeli settlements as independent settlements, continued demolitions of Palestinian homes and structures, and plans to construct a bypass road that would effectively reduce Palestinian presence in Jerusalem, are all concerning and violations of resolution 2334.

Guyana calls on Israel to end all policies and measures aimed at the alteration of the character and status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. We also reiterate the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of July 2024, in which the Court concluded that “Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the régime associated with them, have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law.” Guyana reiterates its appeal to Israel to comply with international law. We also appeal to the international community, including Member States of the United Nations (UN), to comply with international law including Resolution 2334.

Colleagues,

Guyana is also concerned about continuing violence against Palestinian civilians both in the occupied West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. In the Gaza Strip, the catastrophic humanitarian situation persists, even though the UN and humanitarian partners are willing to implement a plan that would facilitate swift relief of the manmade suffering that has been imposed on Palestinian civilians. We note with deep concern the daily killing and injury of Palestinian civilians seeking aid at the small number of sites operated by the Israeli-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The operations of the GHF have led many to conclude that the agency is not guided by humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. Guyana calls on the Israeli authorities to prioritize the wellbeing of civilians in Gaza and their urgent need for humanitarian assistance of a quality and quantity that would meet their needs. We are especially disturbed by the privations to which children, including babies, and pregnant and lactating women, are subject. We underscore that the use of starvation as a weapon of war is a violation of international law.

We must not forget that UN personnel have not been spared in the ongoing situation faced by Palestinian civilians in Gaza. 343 UN personnel have been killed since 7 October 2023 – the highest in the organization’s 80-year history. It is important to have full accountability for all lives lost since 7 October 2023. We also reiterate our call for full accountability for all crimes committed beginning with the 7 October attacks on Israel, the taking of hostages to Gaza, and Israel’s subsequent disproportionate response in Gaza.

We are equally concerned at the ongoing violence against civilians in the occupied West Bank. It is against international law, including international humanitarian law, that Operation Iron Wall remains active despite the large number of casualties, the extensive destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure, and the continued large-scale displacement of Palestinians that it has engendered.

We strongly urge Israel to comply with its obligations under international law, including with the ICJ’s provisional measures regarding its responsibility to protect the Palestinian people and to prevent their genocide.

Colleagues,

We were pleased to note the positive steps detailed in the SG’s report that some Member States took to comply with their obligations under resolution 2334. Guyana is of the firm view that resolution 2334 will not have the desired impact unless all Member States take the collective stance of complying with its provisions.

I conclude my remarks by making three appeals:

First, Guyana calls for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza; for the cessation of Israeli settlement policies and practices in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem; and for the cessation of violence against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank.

Second, Guyana urges that steps be taken to rapidly improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We call on the Israeli authorities to allow humanitarian access in all parts of the Strip and to lift restrictions on the types of supplies allowed in. We stress that the GHF’s operations are not improving the situation but endangering civilians and call on Israel to allow the UN and humanitarian partners to fully resume their operations.

Third, we call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages who continue to be held in Gaza by Hamas and other armed groups. Likewise, we call for the release of Palestinian civilians, including children, who are detained in Israeli prisons without charge.

Colleagues,

Guyana remains unwavering in its support to the Palestinian cause and the implementation of the two-state solution. We remain ready to work with the Council and the wider UN towards this end and look forward to the convening of the High-Level International Conference on the Two-State Solution at the earliest.

I thank you.