By Janet Ekstract NEW YORK – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency meeting in the late afternoon on Sunday, August 10 on the situation in Gaza after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military plans to fully occupy Gaza City which is widely opposed by multiple member states in the UNSC and the international community with the exception of the U.S. Five member states called for the convening of the meeting on Sunday, that included Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Netanyahu’s move a “dangerous escalation” while a slew of member states spoke out unanimously against the Israeli move. While all states acknowledged that Israel has already violated international law, not adhering to a ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July 2024 – the U.S. put the blame on Hamas for the plight of the Palestinians, with all member states who spoke, finding Israel culpable for “starvation,” ‘war crimes,” barring international aid, “ethnic cleansing” and citing Israel’s military where “hundreds of civilians have been killed trying to access humanitarian food supplies.” Member states that spoke at the emergency meeting included Pakistan, Panama, the UK, China, Slovenia, Somalia, Greece, Denmark, France. Russia and Algeria among others.
Meanwhile, in a statement from the Trump administration read by Acting U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Dorothy Shea, stated that the U.S. finds the UNSC emergency meeting “counterproductive” and “We need to place responsibility where it lies, with Hamas.” In the statement, the U.S. accuses the UNSC of “spreading lies about Israel and the GHF” claiming that the most recent round of talks collapsed because “Hamas was encouraged” by the recognition of a Palestinian state by the international community. The statement defended Israel by saying that Israel made its decision to take over Gaza City “after months of plans.” A majority of member states and the international community have condemned Israel’s actions on the ground and pushed back against the U.S. statement. The statement also said: “Ultimately, Israel has a right to decide what is right for its security,” adding “It is unfortunate that members have taken advantage of this meeting to say Israel is committing genocide, they are false.” The U.S. said it “remains committed to addressing humanitarian needs” and defended that Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution and said its goal is to construct up to 16 GHF aid sites in the region. The U.S. said it calls on the international community and the UNSC to urge Hamas to lay down its weapons and end the conflict in Gaza, adding “The U.S. remains committed to addressing the humanitarian needs, freeing the hostages and obtaining peace.”
In comments from multiple member states, the same sentiments were echoed and without exception, all member states that spoke, called on Israel to halt its plan to take over Gaza City and to “lift restrictions” on humanitarian aid into the enclave. They also called out Israel’s visa restrictions that affect international humanitarian personnels’ entry into Gaza to supply aid and called on Israel to open all corridors to allow aid trucks into Gaza. United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OHCA) Director Ramesh Rajasingham told the UNSC “Israel’s registration processes remain concerning” adding there are “alarming rates of settler violence” as well as “home demolition.” Rajasingham stressed: “All those within any influence must look within our bruised international conscience to end this pain.” He also highlighted the fact that at least 500 humanitarian aid workers have been killed since the war began and that “This is no longer a looming crisis, this is starvation, pure and simple.” Meanwhile, the Assistant Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, Miroslav Jenca said the U.N. is calling on Israel to obtain a “full immediate ceasefire” with “all hostages released.” Jenca also said that Israel “unconditionally, must comply with its obligations under international law and allow in large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid.” He added that those seeking aid “must be protected” and that “Palestinians must be able to return to their homes.” Both China and Russia called for an immediate end to hostilities, the free flow of humanitarian aid and an unconditional release of hostages as well as end to the starvation of civilians in Gaza. Other member countries including Algeria, called on the U.N. to provide an international force in Gaza to protect all civilians and humanitarian aid workers. All member states who have called out Israel and the international community agree that the only way forward is a two-state solution to provide security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
