Palestine’s UN Ambassador urges world body to hold Israel accountable for recent massacre

NEW YORK: Riyad Mansour, the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, has sent identical letters to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis, and the current President of the UN Security Council, Sierra Leone, condemning the recent massacre committed by Israeli forces in the al-Tabi'in School in Gaza, which housed displaced families. Mansour expressed that the international community cannot remain indifferent to such brutality and inhumanity. He criticized the Security Council for being paralyzed while Israel continues to disregard international law, the UN Charter, and its resolutions. Additionally, Mansour called for the accountability of Israel for this egregious crime and other war crimes committed over the past 310 days, as well as for crimes against humanity throughout the occupation. Mansour highlighted that Israeli politicians and military leaders consistently demonstrate their preference for continued violence and destruction in Gaza, supported by those who justify and defend such unlawful behavior. He emphasized the urgent need for the Security Council, the General Assembly, and all peace-loving nations to act immediately to halt the cycle of terror, death, and destruction imposed by Israel on the Palestinian people and the broader region, which poses a severe threat to international peace and security. The Palestinian diplomat stressed the necessity for the Security Council to urgently call for and enforce a ceasefire to save lives and end the massacres, starvation, and displacement of Palestinians. Mansour urged the international community to stop this "madness, brutality, and inhumanity," noting that the Palestinian people are suffering immensely due to the international community's failure to compel Israel to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights laws. He demanded an end to the Israeli genocide and the "illegal, immoral, and criminal occupation of Palestinian territories." Source: Palestine News and Informa tion Agency – WAFA