Deputy Permanent Representative of Palestine to the United Nations, Majed Bamieh, confirmed that the Israeli occupation continues its aggression against the city of Rafah, south of Gaza Strip, despite UN and international warnings, indicating that adopting the Algerian draft resolution to stop the Israeli aggression in Gaza Strip will be an important step.
The Palestinian Wafa Agency quoted Bamieh as saying during a session of the UN Security Council on Wednesday: The occupation forces bombed the camps of the displaced in Rafah and did not stop their aggression despite the orders of the International Court of Justice, calling on the Security Council to pressure the occupation to cease fire in Gaza Strip immediately.
In turn, the United Nations envoy to the Middle East, Tor Winsland, called for the immediate reopening of Rafah crossing and the provision of unhindered access for humanitarian aid to all parts of Gaza Strip, pointing out that “Israel is launching a major operation in Rafah and its neighborhoods, which increases the intensity and scale of the destruction.”
Winsland said: “The risk of a regional conflict erupting is escalating every day that the war continues, as reports indicate that more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed, in addition to tens of thousands being injured and about two million Palestinians displaced from their homes in Gaza Strip amid misery and the spread of diseases.”
“Any attempt to address humanitarian challenges will not be sustainable unless it includes an approach that addresses the future of Gaza as part of a unified Palestinian state,” Winsland added.
In the same context, the Russian Deputy Delegate to the Security Council stressed the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza Strip, referring to the continued martyrdom and wounding of Palestinians after the issuance of the International Court of Justice order. He said, “Israel’s allegations that it was subjected to violations have been refuted, while its violations against Palestinian prisoners have been confirmed.”
During a closed consultation session of the Security Council, Algeria presented a draft resolution calling on “Israel” to immediately stop its aggression against the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Algeria’s representative to the United Nations, Ammar Ben Jama, said: “The text is short and decisive and aims to stop the killing in Rafah,” expressing Algeria’s condemnation of the Israeli occupation raids on the tents of displaced people in Rafah, which led to the martyrdom of more than 45 Palestinians, including women and children.
Jama pointed out that these raids occurred only 48 hours after the International Court of Justice issued an order asking the occupying authority, “Israel,” to end its attack on Rafah, stressing that the court’s order is legally binding, and the Security Council is mandated, under the same Charter, to ensure respect for international legitimacy.
Jama called on the Security Council to assume its responsibilities towards the Israeli occupation, which chose to respond to the International Court of Justice by shedding Palestinian blood, stressing that it should not be an exception.
Inas Abdulkareem