NEW YORK: The United Nations General Assembly resumed its tenth emergency special session to address the grave situation in the Gaza Strip tonight. The Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, highlighted the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian civilian population, persisting for 424 days, in violation of international law. He emphasized the urgent need to end Israel’s impunity.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, Mansour criticized Israel, the occupying power, for its attacks on the United Nations, its Secretary-General, its bodies, and agencies, particularly UNRWA, which plays a critical role in the humanitarian response to the crisis in Gaza and supports Palestinian refugees. He referred to Israel’s actions against peacekeeping forces and violations of the UN Charter and resolutions.
Mansour underscored Israel’s disregard for interim orders from the International Court of Justice aimed at confronting the threat of genocide. He ca
lled on all nations to use their influence to halt the massacres committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, stressing that an immediate and unconditional ceasefire is essential to stop the genocide, protect lives, release prisoners and hostages, and preserve hope for a better future.
He noted that the General Assembly had recently voted overwhelmingly to end the illegal Israeli presence in the occupied Palestinian territory and supported a high-level international conference to implement United Nations resolutions related to the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the two-state solution.
Furthermore, Mansour emphasized that achieving the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights, including self-determination and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, is crucial for regional transformation and global peace.
Mansour called for an end to the genocide, illegal colonial occupation, and apartheid regime endured by the Palesti
nian people for decades. He urged all states to fulfill their responsibilities under international law, including humanitarian and human rights law, adhere to interim orders from the International Court of Justice, and uphold a world governed by law.
Before the session, Mansour met with the President of the General Assembly, indicating that the assembly will hold another session on December 11, where two resolutions regarding UNRWA and the demand for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will be adopted.
