I will now make a statement in my national capacity.
Like my colleagues, I would like to begin by thanking Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his statement.
In the face of the unspeakable suffering that continues to affect civilians in the Middle East, it is hard to imagine that the region could sink even deeper into violence. And yet we have witnessed some extremely dangerous developments in recent days, about which Switzerland expresses its gravest concern.
A regional war will not lead to a favourable outcome and will endanger countless civilian lives. It is therefore imperative that all actors in the region immediately cease hostilities to allow for de-escalation. This Council must also fully assume its role.
Switzerland condemns the dangerous escalation of violence in the Middle East of which Israel's air strikes on Iran from Friday night into Saturday as well as Iran's firing of ballistic missiles into Israel earlier this month are part.
Switzerland calls on all parties to act within the limits imposed by international law, including the United Nations Charter. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region must be respected. I would remind you that acts of armed reprisals are prohibited by international law.
Israel's air strikes on a large part of Lebanon, the ground operation in Lebanon, the operations in the Gaza Strip and in particular currently in the north, the continuous attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah as well as the offensives carried out by the Houthis and other armed groups in the region must stop. Civilians are paying the heaviest price. Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, including countless children. Several million have been displaced as a result of the hostilities. All these attacks must stop immediately.
It is imperative that international humanitarian law be respected by all parties in all circumstances, irrespective of any reciprocity or the question of the legality of the use of force. This includes strict compliance with the principles relating to the conduct of hostilities, such as the distinction between civilians and combatants, proportionality and precaution. Switzerland condemns all violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law.
The will of the Security Council seems clear to us: the escalation of violence must stop and all its resolutions must be implemented. This applies in particular to the resolutions demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages and the rapid, safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. The same applies to the resolutions on maritime security in the Red Sea. In Lebanon, an immediate ceasefire is needed, as well as the re-engagement and full implementation of Resolution 1701 by all parties.
Faced with the spiral of a regional war that we must imperatively prevent, dialogue is the way forward. Switzerland supports all efforts to find diplomatic solutions that can lead to an immediate end to the violence throughout the region. All parties, and those who have influence over them, must now show maximum restraint.
The guns must fall silent, immediately and in every country in the region. There is an urgent need to put an end to the suffering of the civilian population and to re-establish dialogue with a view to bringing peace to the region. The responsibility of a Security Council united in its action for peace is clear.
Thank you.