Palestine's UN Envoy on Gaza Crisis, Settlements, and Journalist Safety

Urgent Calls for Ceasefire and Aid

• 🚨 Palestine's Permanent Observer to the UN, Riyad Mansour, addressed critical issues including the genocidal war in Gaza and the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire.
• humanitarian assistance must be provided to Palestinians without interruption or excuses from Israel, citing the deaths of hundreds of children and civilians due to lack of food, water, and medicine.
• ⚠️ Condemnation of Israel's decision to unleash massive military force in Gaza, with reports indicating 80% of buildings destroyed in Gaza City, and concerns about expelling 2 million Palestinians from the Strip.

Security Council and General Assembly Actions

• 🌍 Fourteen countries in the Security Council support efforts to stop the famine, condemn crimes against humanity, and reverse Israel's military actions and settlement expansion.
• 📌 A draft resolution is under consultation, with hopes for adoption next week; otherwise, the 10th emergency session of the General Assembly will be invoked.
• ⚖️ If the Security Council fails to act, Palestine will push the General Assembly to shoulder its responsibility to stop these crimes.

Two-State Solution and International Support

• 🤝 An international conference for the two-state solution at the summit level is scheduled for September 22nd, with details being finalized.
• 📈 Palestine currently has recognition from 149 states, and it's anticipated that around 10 more countries may recognize the State of Palestine around the time of the conference, bringing the total close to 160.

Plight of Palestinian Journalists and UN Staff

• 🎤 Mansour highlighted the unprecedented killing of over 245 journalists in Gaza, suggesting Israel does not want independent documentation of its alleged crimes.
• 💔 Over 350 UNRWA staff have also been killed while carrying out their duties or providing humanitarian assistance.
• 📢 An appeal was made to journalists to show solidarity with their Palestinian colleagues, to demand access to Gaza, and to report the truth about the reality on the ground.

UN Leadership and Future Steps

• ✅ Appreciation was expressed for the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and other UN leaders for their principled stance against famine, cruelty, and military campaigns in Gaza, and for rejecting illegal settlements.
• 🗣️ The UN mission is committed to continuing efforts in the Security Council, General Assembly, and Human Rights Council to achieve peace and save lives.
• 🗓️ A global seminar in October is being organized to honor Palestinian journalists who have died and to discuss how to ensure reporting from Gaza.