The recent events in the Middle East have sparked condemnation and concern from various international bodies, as tensions continue to rise in the region. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his dismay at the escalating situation, particularly highlighting the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. The report from his office revealed a significant increase in settlement activities since the attacks on 7 October, leading to widespread human rights violations.
As the Security Council prepared to convene an emergency meeting in New York, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights chief Volker Türk called for an immediate de-escalation to prevent further conflict in the Middle East. He urged all states, including Security Council members, to use their influence to bring the warring parties to the negotiating table and end the violence.
Meanwhile, in Geneva, the Human Rights Council held a meeting on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with representatives from 24 member countries and 36 observer states expressing their concerns about the situation in Gaza. There were reports of clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli military, as well as Iran’s targeting of Israel with rockets, further exacerbating the tensions in the region.
One year after Hamas-led attacks in Israel resulted in over 1,250 deaths and 250 hostages, countries at the meeting condemned the ongoing violence and the siege imposed by Israel on the Palestinian population in Gaza. Calls for the release of Israeli hostages and an end to the conflict were echoed by many delegations, with Chile also voicing support for a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
A new global coalition seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict was announced at the UN General Assembly, with Saudi Arabia, the European Union, Norway, and other Member States leading the initiative. Nearly 90 countries, including 60 foreign ministers, attended the announcement, showing widespread international support for a peaceful resolution to the longstanding conflict.
Malaysia, speaking on behalf of a group of Asian States at the Human Rights Council session, reiterated their support for a UN General Assembly resolution passed in September, demanding an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine. They also condemned the targeting of refugee camps in the West Bank by Israel and defended the role of UNRWA, the largest humanitarian agency in Gaza, which has faced attempts by Israel and its allies to dismantle it.
The Iranian stance on the situation in the Middle East was also a point of contention, with renewed allegations against Israel from various countries. Despite Israel’s absence from the debate, the accusations of human rights violations and aggressive actions in the region were brought up by several delegations.
Overall, the international community remains deeply concerned about the escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Calls for de-escalation, dialogue, and a peaceful resolution to the conflict have been echoed by various international bodies, urging all parties involved to prioritize the well-being and safety of civilians in the region. As the situation continues to unfold, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the longstanding conflict in the Middle East.
