NEW YORK (United Nations), August 30, 2024 – Algeria has once again called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip through its Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Nassim Gaouaoui. He also urged the prosecution of the occupying forces for their crimes and systematic violations of international humanitarian law.
In a speech delivered during the UN Security Council meeting addressing “the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories,” Gaouaoui emphasized that “the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories cannot be effectively resolved without a ceasefire.”
After expressing gratitude to Ms. Joyce Msuya and Mr. Mike Ryan for their briefings, he noted that these “two briefings, like others, unfortunately reflect a tragic reality that demonstrates the international community’s failure to uphold the law in the occupied Palestinian territories and undeniably reveal ‘the extent of the barbarity and brutality suffered by Palestinians under an occupation that has transcended all norms and rules.'”
He asserted that the obstruction of humanitarian aid and attacks on humanitarian personnel “cannot be dismissed as mistakes or isolated incidents,” but rather represent a policy adopted by the occupying forces aimed at “destroying the hopes of Palestinians, humiliating them, and undermining public order in Gaza.”
“In light of a situation where 96% of the population in Gaza faces famine, and over 50,000 children require treatment for malnutrition,” he continued, “the occupying forces have issued orders to evacuate Deir al-Balah.” He noted that “this marks the 16th order issued this August, during which 260,000 people have been forcibly displaced from their homes.”
Moreover, he pointed out that this time it concerns a region central to humanitarian operations, confirming that the occupying forces “do not care about the fate of Palestinians, humanitarian workers, or UN staff,” labeling these actions as “an outright war crime.” He stated, “Forced displacement and the targeting of humanitarian personnel—of whom at least 297 have already been killed in Gaza—constitute war crimes that demand our collective efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable.”
Gaouaoui stressed that humanitarian workers “should not have to risk their lives to assist those in need. Therefore, it is our responsibility to protect them and enable them to carry out their noble missions without fear or threat.”
“Today, we are on the verge of launching a vaccination campaign for children in Gaza against poliomyelitis, a disease that has been eradicated in the Gaza Strip for 25 years. However, the destructive actions of the occupying forces have caused its re-emergence, alongside the collapse of the healthcare system in Gaza, due to deliberate attacks on hospitals and their staff,” he added.
This dire situation, Gaouaoui argued, “demands our urgent attention, as the potential for the spread of diseases and epidemics, including cholera, has significantly increased in areas of Gaza inundated with sewage and solid waste due to the absence of basic services since the onset of the aggression.”
The Algerian diplomat emphasized that Zionist aggression is “the root cause of the spread of diseases in Gaza, and as an occupying power, it bears the responsibility for ensuring the safety of those involved in the vaccination campaign and its overall success,” while also warning against any obstruction or targeting of participants in this initiative.
In this context, Algeria expresses its gratitude to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for their role in organizing the operation and their commitment to vaccinating over 640,500 Palestinian children despite the challenging conditions in the enclave.
Algeria also stresses the “pivotal role of UNRWA in the success of the vaccination campaign, as it is involved in all stages of the process, with 40% of these children being vaccinated through UNRWA.”
He reminded that UNRWA, which serves as “the backbone of humanitarian action, cannot be replaced in Gaza, despite attempts by some to downplay its importance. This is especially relevant since 1,000 employees from this agency are participating in the vaccination campaign; however, this commendable effort requires a ceasefire, as de-escalation mechanisms are ineffective and pointless in Gaza.”
According to the Algerian diplomat, “it is the duty of the Security Council to protect Palestinians, end the tyranny of the Zionist occupier, and find a lasting and just solution to the Palestinian issue.” He recalled that “the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the escalation in the West Bank, and the desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by the occupying authorities aim to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.”
Algeria calls on the international community and the Security Council to take practical and effective measures to ensure the establishment of the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as this is the only approach to achieving a just and lasting peace in the region.
