Thank you, Mr. President.
I would like to thank Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland and Ms Louisa Baxter of Save the Children for their presentations.
In view of the humanitarian disaster caused by the conflict in the Middle East, including the ever-worsening situation in the Gaza Strip, Switzerland has consistently called for the implementation of the resolutions adopted by this Council since October 7, 2023.
It is imperative that a ceasefire agreement be reached as soon as possible. To this end, we welcome the mediation efforts of Qatar, Egypt and the United States, and call on the parties to engage in these negotiations in good faith.
Regardless of the outcome of these negotiations, Switzerland reiterates that the obligations of international law must be respected by all parties. The protection of civilians must be guaranteed, hostages released and humanitarian access authorized and facilitated immediately and unconditionally.
Since the adoption of resolution 2712 last November, this Council has called on the parties to comply strictly with their obligations under international law, and to refrain from depriving the civilian population of essential services and humanitarian assistance essential to their survival. These deprivations have a disproportionate effect on children.
According to UNICEF, almost a third of civilians in Gaza are under the age of ten, and 640,000 of them are on the front line in the event of a polio outbreak, in a context where the health system is already devastated.
Mr. President,
The UN and its partners have been advocating for months for safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, and are ready to act to prevent and contain polio. Switzerland supports the urgent implementation of the UN's two-phase vaccination plan and is prepared to contribute financially. We welcome the speed and efficiency with which the resources needed to implement this plan have been mobilized. We reiterate that humanitarian and medical personnel must be protected to enable them to do their job and save lives. The Council reiterated its commitments in this respect in itspress elements on Monday.
In addition, hostages and all persons detained by parties linked to the conflict must be treated humanely in all circumstances, and receive ICRC visits and the medical assistance they need. Switzerland is very concerned by the recent OHCHR report on hostages in Gaza and Palestinian detainees, including children, which points to possible serious human rights violations and abuses as well as possible war crimes committed by all parties.
Mr. President,
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, inflammatory language, provocations, unilateral measures and acts of violence against civilians are fuelling tensions.
Despite the unanimous appeals of this Council, attacks, threats and intimidation by Israeli settlers against the Palestinian population, as recently in the village of Jit, continue with virtual impunity. Switzerland condemns these attacks. Israel has an obligation to protect Palestinian civilians, to prevent violence against them, including by settlers, and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Actions such as the latest visit by Israel's Minister of National Security to the Haram al-Sharif, the Temple Mount, contribute to rising tensions, and this on a regional scale too. The historic status quo over the Holy Places in Jerusalem and Jordan's custodial role in this respect must be strictly respected.
It is important that the Council remains united in its call for de-escalation. To this end, a ceasefire in Gaza could make a major contribution, including along the Blue Line. We must also support any effort to achieve a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine, of which Gaza is an integral part, living side by side in peace, within secure and recognized borders.
May a ceasefire agreement in Gaza without delay pave the way for such a solution.
Thank you.