Thank you, Mr President.
I would also like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Human Rights, the Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs of OCHA, and the Director of the FAO Office of Emergency and Resilience, for their presentations, which are very alarming. The information we have just heard complements the recent joint appeal from UN agencies on the even more acute humanitarian situation in Gaza and the alert from the ICP Famine Committee. That is why my country - along with our colleagues from Guyana, Algeria and Slovenia - requested this emergency session, and we are grateful to the UK for putting it on the agenda so quickly.
Switzerland would also like to thank all the humanitarian workers who are continuing their mission, at the risk of their own lives, while famine threatens Gaza, particularly in the north.
By adopting Resolution 2417, this Council has recognised the link between armed conflict, food insecurity and the risk of famine. In doing so, it also reiterated the duty of all parties to conflicts to respect their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, and in particular those that have an impact on food security.
Nearly eight months ago, this Council met within the framework provided by Resolution 2417, following an appeal by OCHA, that had made recommendations to resolve the situation, which was already terrible at the time. The implementation of these recommendations is all the more urgent now that food insecurity has become even more acute.
Switzerland is deeply concerned by the IPC's warning of imminent famine, despite repeated appeals to the parties to the conflict. They have an obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to all civilians in need. As the occupying power, Israel must also ensure, to the best of its ability, that the basic needs of the Gazan population are met.
It is important to remember that the use of starvation as a method of warfare is strictly prohibited by international humanitarian law and constitutes a war crime for which those responsible will have to answer.
Faced with this situation and in line with the recommendations heard this afternoon and with the IPC alert, Switzerland wishes to stress the following urgent measures:
Firstly, it is imperative and urgent that a ceasefire agreement is finally reached. Resolutions 2728 and 2735 demanded this. We also call for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages. Switzerland is actively involved in the negotiations on a draft resolution proposed by the elected members of this Council.
Secondly, Switzerland calls on all parties to take immediate, concrete and effective measures to spare and protect the civilian population as required by their obligations under international humanitarian law. This includes - I repeat - the prohibition on using starvation as a method of warfare against the civilian population; the prohibition on attacking, destroying, removing or rendering useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population; and the obligation to authorise and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief to civilians in need. Humanitarian personnel must be respected and protected, as reaffirmed by Resolution 2730. This includes local staff, in particular UNRWA and ICRC staff.
Thirdly, commercial food supplies must be guaranteed to all areas, so that local markets can be re-established. Humanitarian aid alone cannot meet the needs of more than 2 million people. In this context, Switzerland also recalls the central role of the local staff of humanitarian agencies and the pivotal role of UNRWA in providing essential services beyond humanitarian aid.
Mr. President,
The scientific data that has been presented calls for action. Switzerland, as informal co-focal point in the Council on Conflict and Hunger, together with Guyana, calls on all members of this Council to assume their responsibilities, as called for in Resolution 2417.
We must find a solution that can put an end to human suffering, and we must urgently revive the prospects for peace.
Thank you.