Thank you, Mr President.
As this is our first statement to the Council this month, let me begin by thanking Sierra Leone for its presidency last month and wishing you every success in your presidency in the month of September.
Like my colleagues, I would also like to thank the four speakers, Secretary General for Political Affairs Rosemary di Carlo and Director of Operations and Advocacy at OCHA Edem Wosornu, as well as Dr. Efrat Bron-Harlev, Director of Schneider’s Medical Center and Ms. Yuli Novak, Executive Director of B’Tselem for their presentations.
Switzerland has strongly condemned the acts of terror as well as the taking and holding of hostages perpetrated by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups since October 7th.
We are deeply shocked by the information confirmed by the UN that six hostages were executed by Hamas in Gaza on September 1st. The capture of hostages and their execution are violations of international humanitarian law. These violations constitute war crimes and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.
We condemn these acts in the strongest possible terms and offer our condolences to their families.
Switzerland calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The hostages and their families have been living through an ordeal for eleven months.
The hostages must be treated humanely, in accordance with the norms of international law, and receive visits from the ICRC and the medical assistance they need without further delay. This also applies to all persons detained by Israel in connection with the conflict, in particular minors.
Mr President,
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, we have just heard it again.
We recall that civilians and civilian infrastructures are protected. We therefore condemn all attacks against civilians that constitute flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes.
Humanitarian personnel must be protected in order to come to the aid of civilians in need, as requested by resolution 2730. To achieve this, the guns must fall silent. This is crucial to enable UN agencies and partners to carry out the two phases of vaccination needed to protect 640,000 children against polio in Gaza.
Switzerland welcomes the fact that, according to the WHO – and we have just heard it too – the first phase is proceeding without major incidents in the center of the Gaza Strip. We commend the humanitarian staff for its commitment and bravery under very difficult conditions, and urge all parties to continue to facilitate this campaign.
As stated during the meeting convened by Switzerland and the United Kingdom last week, this campaign demonstrates that a large-scale humanitarian operation is possible in Gaza if hostilities cease and safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access is guaranteed, in accordance with international humanitarian law. It is high time that this became a reality throughout the Gaza Strip.
Mr President,
A ceasefire is imperative and urgent throughout the Gaza Strip. Switzerland reiterates its support for the mediation of the United States, Qatar and Egypt to find an agreement to this end, in accordance with Resolution 2735 of this Council.
Such a ceasefire will also make a major contribution to regional de-escalation.
But it is not enough.
International law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law, must be respected at all costs to prevent the regionalisation of the conflict.
This also applies to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where violence has never been so high since the second intifada, particularly as a result of attacks by settlers and operations carried out by Israeli security forces, such as those currently taking place in the Jenin, Tulkarem and Toubas governorates.
In these operations, the use of force by Israel must, in particular, meet the criteria of necessity and proportionality and respect every individual's right to life and security of person.
As the International Court of Justice also pointed out in its advisory opinion of 19 July, excessive use of force and Israel's failure to prevent or punish settler attacks are incompatible with Israel's obligations under international law.
Switzerland stresses that Israel, as the occupying power, is responsible for maintaining law and order in the West Bank and for ensuring the protection and well-being of the population, which includes the realisation of their fundamental rights. We urge the Israeli authorities to bring to justice all those responsible for violence against civilians and the deliberate destruction of civilian property and infrastructure.
We will say it again and again: any act of violence against civilians, Israelis or Palestinians, is unacceptable. International law must be respected as an essential first step on the road to peace.
This path must lead to a negotiated two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine, of which Gaza is an integral part, living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognised borders.
Thank you.