the u.s. has vetoed a un security council resolution recommending palestine be given full membership to the un. 12 countries voted in favor of the resolution. the u.k. and switzerland abstained. that vote comes after the palestinian ambassador renewed a request for full membership. this comes amidst pressure on president biden to do more to address the crisis in gaza. we will show you a portion of the security council meeting before the vote was held.

>> i invite these members. to participate in this meeting. it is so decided. i propose that the council and by special representatives of the presidents of the state of palestine to participate in the meeting.

there being no objection, it is so decided. on behalf of the council, i welcome his excellency. in accordance with rule 39 of the provisional rules of procedure, i also invite the following individuals to participate in this meeting. the chair of the committee on the exercise of enable -- inalienable rights of the palestinian people. the european union a high

representative for the middle east peace process. the assistant secretary general of the league of arab states. and the secretary-general of the union for the mediterranean. it is so decided. the security council will now begin consideration of item two of the agenda. i give the floor to the secretary general. >> mr. president, excellencies, the middle east is on a precipice. we have seen a perilous escalation. one miscalculation or miscommunication or mistake could lead to the unthinkable.

a full-scale regional conflicts that would be devastating for all involved and the rest of the world. this must be a time for maximum restraint. i condemn the serious attack launched by iran on israel. the use of force against the territorial integrity of independent states. or any other manner inconsistent with the purpose of the u.n. as distributed by the charter. this must be respected in all cases in accordance with international law.

it is high time to in the bloody cycle of retaliation. it is high time to stop. the international community must work together to prevent any action that could push the entire middle east over the edge. let me be clear, the risks are spiraling on many fronts. we have a shared responsibility to pool the region back from the precipice. to do so is by comprehensive action for de-escalation in the middle east. mr. president, it starts with the gaza. ending the hostilities in gaza will defuse tensions throughout the region. i reflect -- forgive my calls for a cease-fire in the release

of all hostages held in gaza. the terror attacks on october 7, including mass killings, the use of sexual violence, torture, and the taking of hostages, was a denial of the most basic values of humanity and a breach of international law. in gaza, there is a humanitarian crisis. thousands of people have been killed. there has been death and destruction and denial of lifesaving aid. they are now staring down starvation. an israeli operation in rafah would compound this catastrophe.

the casualty figures are overwhelming. and unprecedented in speed and scale during my time of secretary-general. children have been killed. in indiscriminate attacks. all of this has happened with severe limitations imposed on humanitarian aid to those in gaza. who are facing widespread starvation. israel recently made a number of commitments to improve this. there have been some examples of the limited progress. they were able to deliver food.

the operating hours have been expanded. but they could not be expanded to the same extent on the gaza side. some bakeries have resumed operation. the first to reopen in months. the progress in one area is often canceled out by delays elsewhere. for example, even though israeli authorities have done that, it is often granted when it is too late. our personnel cannot operate in a war zone.

littered with unexploded armaments. the impact is limited. there are continued obstacles for people who are in desperate need. israel denied more than 40% of requests to pass through israeli checkpoints. we urgently need meaningful, measurable progress. including restarting a water line. we need a quantum leap in height -- humanitarian aid. food is essential. so is sanitation and health care.

we are addressing the challenges impeding delivery on the ground. that is the backbone of our operations. we must be able to move food and water supplies safely. throughout every part of gaza. -- humanitarians also need security. there are 258 workers including our own staff have been killed in gaza. i repeat my call for investigations, thorough investigations into these tragic deaths. just last week, and aid worker traveling with a convoy was in the crossfire. levering a at scale requires

israel's full facilitation of humanitarian operations including humanitarian notification system and improved communications between humanitarians and military decision-makers on the ground. this is essential and must be implemented immediately. for the moment, our aid operations face enormous difficulties and are barely functional. they cannot operate in an organized, systematic way. they can only seize opportunities to deliver aid whenever and wherever possible. and humanitarians alone cannot address the normandy of the need in gaza. the private sector is critical increasing commercial activity is essential. what is needed is it clear -- an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and the

unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. the international community has a shared responsibility to do everything possible to make this happen. mr. president, a comprehensive de-escalation approach must also reverse the explosive situation in the occupied west bank. more than 450 palestinians including 112 children have been killed in the occupied west bank since seven october. the majority by israeli forces in the course of their operations and in exchanges between israeli forces and armed palestinians. others were killed by armed israeli settlers sometimes in the presence of is really security forces who reportedly stood by and did nothing to prevent these killings.

last year saw the highest number of such attacks and the violence and intimidation against palestinian communities since the u.n. began recording them in two thousand six. 17 israelis including one child have also been killed in the occupied west bank of israel since seven october. in addition to these numbers, the reported killing of a 14-year-old israeli boy over the weekend set off another wave of armed settler attack against at least 37 palestinian villages in the occupied west bank. four palestinians were killed including a 17-year-old boy. i condemn all violence against civilians. i urge israel to make immediate steps to have the unprecedented levels of settler violence and

to hold accountable all those that perpetrated such attacks and i call on israel as occupying power to protect the palestinian population of the occupied west bank against attacks, violence and intimidation. the backdrop to this surge in violence is the continued expansion of israeli settlements in themselves a violation of international law and repeated large-scale israeli operations in palestinian areas. declarations that areas now constitute israeli lands together with illegal decisions that strengthens settlements and potentially increases evictions is undermining the continue -- contiguity of a palestinians face and losing hope for a generation of palestinians. israel and the international support must support work with the palestinian government to

address its challenges, strengthening its government's capacity and preparing it to assume its responsibilities in gaza in the future. i urge all actors to recognize the critical role the palestinian authority should play in gaza and works towards enabling its return in the appropriate time. mr. president, the ultimate solution is a two state solution. israel and palestine living side-by-side in peace and security with jerusalem as the capital of both states on the basis of u.n. resolutions, international law and previous agreements. that means an end to the occupation and the establishment of a fully independent, democratic, co-equals a viable and sovereign palestinian state with gaza as an integral part. the international community has a responsibility and a moral

obligation to help make this happen. mr. president, regional de-escalation efforts must also address the extremely fraught situation in lebanon, particularly along the blue line. exchanges of fire between israel forces and hezbollah are exacting a mounting toll on civilian communities in israel and lebanon. dozens of civilians have been killed and tens of thousands displaced on both sides of the blue line. these exchanges could take on a momentum of their own. strikes deep into the territories of lebanon and israel could a night and even more serious confrontation as we have seen in the past. i call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further breaches of the cessation of the hostilities along the framework of the resolution one 701.

the united nations stands ready to support the efforts of several countries to encourage the de-escalation and to work towards a diplomatic solution. mr. president, regional de-escalation efforts must also ensure the safety and mitigation of dutch on the red sea, respecting the rights and duties related to net -- maritime navigation in accordance with international law. houthi attacks on merchan and commercial shipping continues to disrupt global trade. they have been met with strikes by u.s. and the united kingdom. armed confrontations on this crucial waterway increase risks across the board. risks to supply chains. risks to environmental disaster from a damaged cargo ship or oil tanker. risks of a serious escalation and confrontation between major powers with political, security

and humanitarian repercussions. all attacks on merchan and commercial shipping on the red sea must end immediately. the international community must act together to prevent escalation in the red sea that would exacerbate tensions and undermine peace and security and international trade and the people of yemen must be supportive of the political process for a sustainable and just peace. mr. president, the middle east is on a nice adage. these escalations make it even more important to support efforts to find lasting peace between israel and a fully independent, viable and sovereign palestinian state. failure to make progress towards a two state solution will only increase volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people across the region who continued to live under the constant

threat of violence. i urge every government involved to seek leverage to promote trust building, mutual security and regional peace. we have a shared moral obligation to conduct a de-escalation effort to reduce risks, increase stability and pave a way towards peace and prosperity for the countries and people of the region and beyond. thank you. i thank you the secretary general for his briefing. i now get the floor to his excellency, the special representative of the president of the observer state of palestine. >> mr. president, your excellency, the secretary-general, your excellencies, ladies and

gentlemen, it is my honor to join you today in this important meeting. i would especially thank you mr. president for holding and presiding over this ministerial meeting. i would also like to express the gratitude of the state of palestine to the secretary-general of the united nations for his wise leadership of this organization. i especially given the catastrophe that is currently happening in the gaza strip. i would also like to thank australia for placing the palestinian cause as a priority on the agenda of the security council including the membership of the state of palestine in the united nations.

we would also like to thank -- express our thanks and gratitude to the countries that recognize the state of palestine and the people's of the world that believe in our right to self-determination in our land, the state of palestine. we also thank the countries that developed their relations and that cooperated with us and we do hope that these countries will recognize the state of palestine as soon as possible on -- based on the principle of sovereign equality between nations and mutual respect. we also bring you our gratitude to all countries that supported palestine receiving the status of observer state and the states that called on the security council to look in to and consider the full membership of the state of palestine in the

u.n. we also thank the countries and the nonaligned movement for joining this request based on the riyadh summit. mr. president, ladies and gentlemen, the plight of the palestinian people has started over a century ago and is still ongoing. the palestinian people was the victim of events and international resolutions and decisions that were outside their control. the palestinian people is the victim of a history that is not of their making. this people has suffered a catastrophe in 1948 and the israeli occupation since 1967. we are still longing to practice our right to self-determination, to live in freedom, security and peace in an independent state

similar to other countries around the world. we have made and continue to make great sacrifices to achieve this goal. since 1988 the palestinian leadership represented by the plo, the only legitimate representative of the palestinian people, the palestinian leadership has shown preparedness to close the chapter of conflict and sit at the negotiations table to find a just, comprehensive and permanent solution for the palestinian question. in this regard we have made every possible genuine effort, we have made unimaginable historic concessions in order to achieve aps that is based on the two state solution -- a peace that is based on the tuesday solution to achieve an

independent sovereign state along the lines of june 4, 1967 what used through slim as its capital in addition to resolving the issue of palestinian refugees based on resolution 194, the palestinian fate that would live with its neighbors and security and peace. since 1990 three, the palestinian leadership chose the path of negotiations hoping that these negotiations would result in the desired solution. the international community supported the principle of the two state solution and this culminated in palestine being a observer member in the united nations since 2016 and since this -- and since then the state of palestine has sought and called upon the world to accept it as a full member of the united nations because we believe that an international

resolution of this regard will protect the two state solution and will reflect the palestinian people's legitimate right to an independent state. however, unfortunately, some try to hinder the adoptions of this resolution under weak pretenses. granting palestine full membership at the united nations will lift some of the historic injustice that six eating palestinian generations have been subjected to. it will open wide prospects before a true peace based on justice. aps that the countries and the peoples of the region will enjoy . in this regard, it is our right to wonder, how could grant and

recognize the state of palestine , how could granting this data palestine full membership at the united nations, similar to other countries around the world, how could this damage the prospects of peace between palestinians and israelis? how could this recognition and this membership harm international peace and security? this question, ladies and gentlemen, we ask it specifically to the united states and other countries that oppose granting the state of palestine full membership at a time when they recognize israel which is the other party in the israeli-palestinian conflict and has granted israel full membership at the united nations. and for those that say recognizing the palestinian state must happen through negotiations and not through a u.n. resolution, we wonder, once again, how was the state of

israel established? how was it recognized? wasn't that through a u.n. resolution which is resolution 181? although israel did not honor the conditions to accept its membership at the united nations and that is implementing resolutions of 181 and 194. such a decision to grant the state of palestine full membership will be an important pillar to achieve peace in our region because the palestinian-israeli conflict in its different dimensions now goes beyond the borders of palestine and israel and impacts other regions in the middle east and around the world. therefore, we believe that it is high time for the security council to shoulder its historic responsibility to give justice to the palestinian people by

adopting a resolution to accept palestine as a full member of the united nations. those who are trying to disrupt and hinder the adoption of such a resolution, they are not helping the prospects of peace between palestinians and israelis and the prospects for peace and the middle east in general. this resolution naturally will not be the alternative for serious political negotiations that are time bound and implemented -- and implement a tuesday solution or grant a security council resolution. however, this resolution will grant help to the palestinian people, hope for a decent life within an independent state. after this hope has this impeded over the last years because of

the intransigence of the israeli government that has rejected this solution publicly and blatantly especially following the destructive war against the gaza strip and after the reoccupation of the gaza strip by israel. in this regard, the state of palestine would like to express its thanks to all the countries that recognize the state of palestine and sincerely and seriously supported granting the state of palestine full membership in this international organization. ladies and gentlemen, over the last 12 years, after palestine was granted observer status at the general assembly, the state of palestine played a positive and constructive role in your august organization so we do

hope you will give us the opportunity to become an integral part of the international community that is working to achieve international peace and security. mr. president, today we are asking for a full membership for the state of palestine at the united nations. however, this does not mean that we forgot what happened -- what is happening in the gaza strip. this comprehensive, distractive war waged by israel against our people over the last six months. it has claimed the lives of over 35,000 palestinians, 80,000 were wounded, mostly women, children, and the elderly. they have destroyed most vital facilities in the gaza strip, they have destroyed homes,

hospitals, schools, universities, mosques, churches, water and energy supplies. they have displaced at the majority of the residents of the strip. the majority of the strip is now -- they cannot live there anymore because it was destroyed. gaza will come back. what will be the do -- what will be destroyed is the occupation. the attack of the israeli army continues. they continue to terrorize our people in different cities, villages and camps in the west bank and jerusalem. it is high time for this war and for these attacks to stop. it is high time for this occupation to end. your august counsel, we call on you today, more than ever, to swiftly intervene and take the necessary measures to compel

israel to put an end to its aggression to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance to a starving people, to immediately withdraw from the gaza strip, to comply with international law and the resolutions of international legitimacy. the international community cannot stand idly bye-bye while a country is enjoying it impunity. israel shoulders the full responsibility for the great destruction that the gaza strip has suffered from because of its continued aggression. it is also the responsibility of countries that have supported israel with weapons and funds that have provided israel with political protection. we rely on these loving nations to end of the war, to end the aggression and provide support and relieve to the residents of

the gaza strip. everyone must recognize, israel in particular, that security cannot be achieved with endless wars as long as occupation stands. aps that is based on justice, this will achieve security and stability for all. history has taught us that our region will not enjoy stability without this establishment of an independent palestinian state along the lines of june 4, 1967 with used jerusalem as its capital to live in security and peace with its neighbors. ladies and gentlemen, an international resolution to grant palestine full membership at the united nations under these dark circumstances and as the war of full distraction

continues i guess -- full distraction continues at the gaza strip and his residence, this would be an objection to aggression and insist on respecting international law, human rights and the rights of the -- of the palestinian people to live in freedom and dignity. this is the perfect time, ladies and gentlemen, for the international community and your counsel to shoulder their political, legal and moral responsibilities to -- toward a just palestinian cause and the right of the palestinian people the freedom and independence. so that the principles of justice and peace can prevail. i trust that you will stand with the palestinian justice. i thank you. >> i thank his excellency for his statements.

i now get the florida the representative of israel. -- i now give the floor to the representative of israel. >> thank you, mr. president. distinguished ministers, colleagues, secretary-general, how many times has this council met to discuss ways to advance at the release of our hostages held in gaza? how many times? not even once. how many condemnations has this council issued against hamas or for their pain is october 7 massacre? zero. zero. yet rather than condemning hamas' atrocities or taking real action to bring our hostages home, this council will be voting upon a resolution to recommend granting the palestinian authority full membership status, a palestinian

state. how detached from reality can this council be to dedicate its time and resources to support a resolution so disconnected to the reality on the ground? so a resolution that will have 0, 0 positive impact for any party that will cause only destruction for years to come and harm any chance for future dialogue. colleagues, six months after october 7, the most brutal modest skirt used -- massacre used since the holocaust, this council seeks to reward the perpetrators of these atrocities with statehood. the child murdering hamas rapists are watching this meeting and they are smiling. there is no bigger prize for terror then today's meeting.

let me remind everyone, the basic requirements for admission to the unr -- a permanent population, defined territory, government, and the capacity to enter relations with other states. but, above anything else, a very important principle stated in article four of the u.n. charter is and i quote -- "membership in the united nations is open to all peaceloving states." peaceloving -- what a joke. does anyone doubt that the palestinians fail to meet these criteria? did anyone hear any palestinian leader even condemn the massacre of our children? the palestinian authority is absolutely -- has absolutely no control over gaza. you all know it.

everyone knows it. but even in judeo samaria entire neighborhoods and cities are ruled by other terrorist gangs, and rely on others and the palestinian authority ironically has no authority. so who is that council voting to recognize today and give full membership status to? hamas in gaza? palestinian islamic jihad in nob loose? who is going to be in charge? this in itself is grounds enough to reject this reward for palestinian terror, the palestinian authority is the opposite of a peaceloving entity. the palestinian authority not only has not condemned the october 7 massacre, they are also paying monthly salaries to all of the terrorists that took part in it rewarding the rapists . this is a genocide loving entity

that does not deserve any status here. but sadly, to some of the members here, some, the palestinians inability to meet the criteria simply doesn't matter. it doesn't matter because to some of you, palestinian statehood has nothing to do what the u.n. charter or legal criteria. all it has to do is with politics and interests. the u.n. charter is important to them only when it can be used against israel. the reports from the council's commission on the admission of new members even stated black and white, let me quote from code three of the report. your report. and i quote "several members expressed the view that the admission of the state of palestine to membership in the united nations was a political matter rather than a technical or legal requirement." in other words, u.n. charter be

damped, international law be damped, international law and the u.n. charter are only important when they can be weaponized against israel. but if breaking the law means advancing the unilateral establishment of a palestinian terror state, palestinian nazi state, then by all means. to -- they are just empty words on paper, right? well, this council has decided to focus on at the expense of all other calamities around the world is to grant a prize to terrorists. granting the perpetrators and supporters of october 7 full membership status in the u.n. is the violent reward for the violent crime. if this resolution passes, this council will be known as the terror council. the only thing that a forced

unilateral recognition of a palestinian state will make any future negotiations almost impossible. as long as the palestinians feel they can exploit this body to their benefit, why would that bother at the negotiating table or support any -- any compromise? do you honestly think that this resolution will make a solution more likely or change anything on the ground? the palestinians have rejected every peace plan ever made -- ever made. and they continue to encourage terror. and now they know that their rejection pace off. they can say, no, no, no, to any american president but still get what they demand because the u.n. is guided by politics not morality or truth. all this council is accomplishing through this

destructive approach is making a solution unattainable. the u.n. is no longer about multi-laterallism sadly. it is now committed to multi-terrorism. at the security council terror pace off. i've always called out the political lots within the u.n. but sadly here nothing is based on truth and justice but toxic politization. and today, the mask has finally fallen, the council has exposed itself. please do not give into politics. do not support this dangerous resolution. how can you support a resolution that is so destructive and immoral at the worst possible moment? colleagues, the council was not the only entity to expose its true face this week. on saturday night in 300 ballistic missiles launched at

israel, the ayatollah's max also fell. iran exposed itself as the terror state that it is. today marks another milestone in the ayatollah regime's soaked-stained history in 1983, a chevrolet pickup truck packed with 2,000 pounds of explosives sped through the gates of embassy in beirut crash into the building and detonated -- detonated. this blast killed 63 people. you're talk a lot about embassy and the important of embassy. and hezbollah claimed responsibility. and today, april 18, 2024, exactly 41 years later, this council, the security council will be addressed by an arche terrorist who's regime funds, arms, and directs hezbollah.

the ayatollah who is a member of the iranian revolutionary guard corp. this terrorist organization is responsible for carnage, bloodshed and destruction worldwide. from terror attacks in south america and assassination plots upon european and american soil to armed trafficking in africa and terrorist sponsorship in the middle east, the ii rgc is in the business of murder. it's a terrorist organization not only in israel, not only in the united states, in bahrain, in saudi arabia. both i and my arab and american colleagues agree, the demand who will address this council later today is a terrorist. and his presence here on today of all days is further proof of

how the u.n. has become a haven for dictatorships and terror regimes to whitewash their crimes. colleagues, it is iran -- iran that has ensure that they could -- it is the ayatollah regime that has equipped the hooties with cruise missiles to fire its merchant vessels. and it is the ayatollah regime that has launched an unprecedented attack in israel a fellow u.n. state less than a week ago. instead of designating them as a terrorist organization, the security council opened its doors for iran's foreign minister, a terrorist. cannot see what is going on here? terror minister is not here to

express sorrow for his regime's brazen attack and the this count stale the islamic counsel has changed its ways. he's here to make a mockery of you. he's here to show you all in your suits and with your diplomatic niceties that his country can launch an attack on another member state on saturday, and then he can come here on thursday to lecture you all on human rights and international law. minister abdolian is making this institution a joke. sadly, the u.n. has lost every ounce of justice and now it's a blob of class of sin however they choose. and the council plays along with this destructive he can raid. colleagues if you still believe that this body holds any

relevance, then i ask you, i even beg you, what action has been taken by the council against iran for its attack against israel this week? the former minister will speak here today as his country hurdles towards nuclear weapons. has this council taken any action to prevent this? nope, nothing. instead, we're gathered today to discuss the situation in gaza. has it occurred to any of you that the terror minister of dolian is to make sure that you focus on gaza as opposed to his own regime's crimes? sadly, you are being spoon-fed a script. it was written by haminaih, a script crafted by terrorists. due to, this terrorists commits acts of terror and when israel

defends itself, the u.n. will pressure israel to a seize fire and insure their survival. the terrorists know that nothing captivates its attention more than israel. as long as israel is defending itself all other violators can continue committing crimes. your eyes will remain on gaza as the rest of the world burns. and this is precisely what is happening today. you sit here focused, again on israel. focused on gaza. we will hear talk of international law and human rights and many other terms, this council loves to toss around. but in reality this count as a council cares nothing about human rights or international law. you even refuse to visit our communities in southern israel and i invited all of you that were devastated by hamas. everything is political and

distorted. you know better than most that the ayatollah regime is mere weeks from nuclear capabilities. this global sponsor has approximateies across the region sewing death and destruction. but iran has immunity here because this rogue regime -- regime has allies here on this council that protect it. and it's terror proxies. this is the reason why you will never designate hamas and hezbollah as terror organization despite the whole world knowing that they are. a war still rages in ukraine as the country that started it sits here on this council preaching about peace and the defense of civilians. this is a backwards world. this week, we mark the one-year anniversary of the war in sudan, millions -- millions have fled their homes.

millions more starve, countless civilians been murder. since the start of the war in sudan, has this council had the single minister level meeting on the atrocities? no, not one. but today marks the fourth ministerial security debate on gaza, the fourth. four on gaza and not one in sudan in the past year. the double standard here knows no bounds. the amount of time, effort and resources poured into gaza makes it seem as if the rest of the world is a pure utopia. that outside of gaza, we live in a care-free world. hakuna matata. and the only this this council serves, some of you may think you are serving the palestinians but you're not. by holding this meeting you are

supporting them. and hardly any of you seem to notice. colleagues, if the u.n. cannot prevent wars or defend human rights, it has lost a reason to continue operating. the day will come when this organization will be shattered. the u.n. as we know it will cease to exist and in it -- its place they will be capable of putting politics aside for the psych of human tim and when that day comes and it will, this meeting and the vote to force a palestinian nazi state will be remembered. a meeting where the world burns but all that -- that concerns the security council was helping terrorists in gaza survive, a meeting where a terror entity

could be given full membership status. this is how far the u.n. has fallen. this is why the u.n. in its current format has no future. i truly pray -- pray for brighter dares a time where the u.n. can successfully combat the forces of darkness not welcome them and be influenced by them. thank you, mr. president. >> i thank the representative from israel for their statement i shall now make a statement in any capacity. i thank the secretary general for his presence here today and for his stark and sobering brief. we are experiencing one of the bleakest and most volatile periods in modern history. as underlined by the secretary general last sunday, the middle east is at the brink of a full-scale conflict, one, which we need to collectively avoid by

calling on all parties to show restraint. these latest events continue the downward spiral witnessed in the six months since the heinous terror attacks of hamas on the 7th of october and the beginning of military action by israel in gaza. it provides further proof of the importance of an immediate and permanent cease-fire in -- gaza and the need to create a political horizon in the middle east. it's completely worrying and completely unacceptable that this council's demand for a cease-fire in accordance with resolution 27 and 28 has been disregarded by the parties. we wish to reiterate that under article 25 of the charter, the members of the notion agreed to accept and -- of the united nations agreed to accept the

agreement by the security council. we have consistently condemned hamas for its reprehensible terrorist attacks on the 7th of october including the murder of over 1,200 israelis, the take of hostages and any acts of sexual violence committed. the trauma from the dark day will forever haunt the israeli people particularly those who still suffer daily knowing their loved ones are still held hostages by hamas. once again we reiterate our demands that hamas release all hostages immediately and unconditionally. further in gaza, it's not only the hostage who are suffering. over 33,700 palestinians have been killed. most of them women and children.

thousands have been injured or maimed. countless others remain unaccounted for missing under the rubble of ruined neighborhoods. the prospect of a further escalation into raf where over one million displaced civilians are struggling daily to survive is unconscienable. with threats our firm rejection of any ground offensive into raf and any further displacement of palestinians. with over half of the population on the cusp of a man-made famine, coupled with the decimated health system, children are also dying from a lack of food and water. according to unicef, today in

gaza one in three children under the age of 2 years are acutely mall nourished. targeted attacks on healthcare violate all the unique protections under international law for pregnant, birthing and post-partum women as well as children. we stress that all parties have a legal obligation under international law including international humanitarian law to protect civilians. in line with this -- the provisional orders of the international court of justice on 26 january and 28 march must be complied with. excellencies, since the beginning of this conflict, the deliberate levels of aid in gaza has been highly insufficient due to physical restrictions and bureaucratic impedestrianments. we reiterate that the denial of

humanitarian assistance is a grave violation of international law and to use it as a weapon of war may constitute a war crime. and we further agree that it must be guaranteed. they must conduct about independent investigation into all killings of u.n. and humanitarian staff. commercial trade must also be allowed to resume as the people of gaza cannot remain dependent on aid alone. in the words of the secretary general a paradigm shift is needed to address the conditions in gaza. just yesterday, this council held the briefing on the indes

penceable nature on the life-saving services. the agency is a civilizing force in the region and demands our continued support and resources. turning tothe wider region, the ripple effect of the war in georgia and what we have -- in gaza and what we have witnessed has been deeply troubling. the increased escalations and squirmishes in the west bank, lebanon, syria, iraq and yemen pushes the reason closer to a con flag ration. the immediate restraint is of paramount importance. international law and diplomacy must be our guiding principles. in the west bank, rising violence targeting civilians and intensifying military operations push the occupied palestinian territory into further

instability. the illegal israeli settlements, demolition of palestinian property and violence are an obstacle to peace and violate international law and threaten the viability of a two-state solution. we call on israel to reverse such actions by the security council resolution. we welcome ongoing efforts toward reinforcing and repatronizing the palestinian solution. it must be in line with the two-state solution and with gaza's part of an independent palestinian state. fundamentally, a just resolution of this conflict demands a reality which embraces for u.n. membership and statehood. it demands a reality in which israelis live in security

without being held hostage by the threat of terrorism. the parameters of realization of this vision are well known and must be pursued as a matter of urgency. malta reaffirms its unwavering commitment to a political solution based on the two-state solution along the pre1967 board ertz addressing the aspirations of both sides with jerusalem as the future capital of two states living side by side in peace and security. this is in line with the security council resolution and the greed parameters. i thank you. and i resume my function as president of the council. and i now give the floor to the representative of the united states. >> thank you, mr. president. and i want to thank the secretary general for his appearance here and his

briefing. colleagues, we needed a moment of -- meet in a great moment of peril. iran including hamas has driven us to the precipice of a border conflict. the united states condemns iran's direct attack on israel, which we along with israel and other partners help to defeat. there is no doubt iran's aim in launching more than 300 munitions at israel was to inflict significant damage and cause a loss of life. the u.s. commitment to israel's security is ironclad, repeat, ironclad. europe contributions to israel's defense are a clear manifestation of that commitment. sit vital that the international community is united in condemning iran's reckless es cha latory act which is a direct threat to international peace appear security destabilize the region and endanger its own

people. in response, the united states announced sanctions this morning against several actors involved in iran's unmanned aerial vehicle program, suppliers and customers of one of iran's largest field producers and automobile companies with connections to the u.s. designated islamic guard core and the armed force logisticses. we anticipate that our allies and partners will soon be following with their own sanctions and we will continue to disrupt the networks that support the reckless proliferation of weapon that is destabilize the middle east and beyond. the security council must also not let iran's action got unanswered. indeed, for far too long, iran is flagrantly violated the international legal obligations notably through the actions of the irgc.

iran has armed hezbollah in violation of security council resolution 1701 it has also armed, facilitate enabled hootie attacks on saudi arabia on the u.a.e. and more recently merchant and commercial shipping in the red sea in clear violation of resolution 2216 and in defiance of resolution 2722. iran has transferred one-way attack zones at a time when such transfers were in clear violation of resolution 2231. iran has also repeatly violated international law by targeting with mines and seeing commercial ships in the persian gulf and surrounding water ways just as it did on april 12. iran has provide significant funding and training for the military wing of hamas which as we know perpetrated unacceptable

acts of cruelty on october 7, against against valeies, americans and citizens from countries all over the world this. long-standing iranian support continues to contribute to the current crisis in gaza. while iran's minister will offer excuse for these actions today, we have a collective responsibility to set the record straight tony: sure that iran comply the council's resolution and ceases the violation of international law. colleagues, the united states is committed to strengthening our corporation to end the crisis in gaza including by continuing to work towards an immediate and sustainable cease-fire as part of a deal to release hostages by hamas and increase humanitarian assistance to palestinian civilians in need. hamas, however, continues to reject offers from israel that

would halt fight and release hostages. over and over and over, if hamas accepted the offer israel has made, it would allow for an immediate cease-fire that would benefit palestinians immediately. hamas should take this deal. if not, they should explain to the world and to the palestinian people why they have yet do so because right now hamas is the sole obstacle to a cease-fire in gaza. the sole obstacle. colleagues, it is extraordinary the extent to which hamas has been almost erased from the story of what is happening in gaza. none of what we've seen in gaza would have happened had hamas released the hostages, put down its weapons, stop hiding behind civilians and in ton else in and -- and in tunnels and surrendered.

the ball is in hamas's court and the world is watching to see what it does. president biden has called on israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete and measurable steps to protect civilians from harm and direct humanitarian suffering and ensure the protection of aid workers. the president has made clear that u.s. policy with respect to gaza will be determined by our assessment of israel's immediate and sustained action on these steps. we welcome israel's decision to open more land crossings. we need immediate implementation of these commitments. we need immediate results. as gaza faces eminent famine, lives depend on it. we reiterate our support for senior coordinator and call on israel to corporate to

facilitate humanitarian assistance at scale. over 240 humanitarians have been killed there cannot be any more. we reiterate our call for israel tole implement immediate measures to remediation the deficiencies so that humanitarian personnel can safely perform their life-saving work. colleagues the united states also remains gravely concerned by the tensions in the west bank. we strongly condemn the murder of 14-year-old israeli benjamin akimir and the violence against palestinian property that ensued resulting in dozens of injuries, property damage and the killing of two palestinians 24-year-old jihad abu-alia and omar ahmad

abudani hamed. our thoughts are with their loved ones. civilians are never legitimate targets. we call on the authorities to take measures to protect all communities are harm and we urge israel and the palestinian authority to do everything possible to de-escalate tensions. additionally, the united states will continue to impose our own sanctions on people involved in violent activities in the west bank. colleagues, the united states reiterates its commitment to continue working to address the multiple challenges we face in the middle east today. we will support israel as it faces unprecedented threats from iran and reiterate that iran must comply with all u.n. resolutions and the charter. at the same time, we will also continue direct diplomacy to advocate for normalization of ties between israel and its neighbors as well as the political horizon towards a

two-state solution so that palestinians and israelis can live side by side in peace. we are committed to achieving credible, time-bound and irreversible steps toward a two-state solution. mr. president, the representative of the russian federation has criticized a u.s. resolution to put forward on the situation in gaza. the country has worked harder than the u.s. for peace in the region. rusha has done nothing under -- russia has done nothing. i've said this many times, russia is in no position to criticize any member of the security council giving the war

crimes it is committing on a daily basis in ukraine. for russia, the tragic situation in gaza is nothing more than an opportunity to distract attention from the horrific war being conducted against the people of ukraine. thank you,r.resident. >> i thank the representative >> the united states has vetoed united nations resolution that palestine be granted membership in the united nations. 12 countries voted in favor. the vote comes after the palestinian investor to the united nations renewed the request for membership. activists point out this comes during intense pressure on president biden to do more to address the humanitarian crisis in gaza.

>> washington journal, our live form involving you to discuss the latest issues in government, politics and public policy from washington, d.c. and across the country. friday morning, house republican efforts to move forward with separate bills to provide assistance to ukraine, israel and u.s. allies in the indo pacific. and u.s. trade china and policy differences between president biden and former president trump. and, the jury selection process overall and specifically in the so-called hush money trial of former president trump. washington journal, join the conversation live at 7:00 eastern friday morning on c-span, c-span now or c-span.org.

on capitol hill, the health rules committee members have been recessed several hours. they are working on four bills that would provide military aid to israel, ukraine and taiwan as well as require the use of u.s. seized russian assets to repay aid to ukraine. more coverage when members resume their work here on c-span. >> c-span is your unfiltered view of government. funded by these television companies and more, including comcast. >> oh, you think this is just a community center? no, it's way more than that. >> comcast is partnering with 1,000 community centers to create wi-fi enabled lift centers so students from low income families can get the tools they need to get them ready for anything. announcer: comcast support c-span as a public service, along with these other television providers, ving you a front row seat to democracy.