The UN Security Council met in emergency session following the Israeli strike on the al Tabeen school in Gaza last Saturday. "In Gaza today, schools are often the last resort for finding food, water or shelter. But even these schools, which have become makeshift shelters, often offer no refuge to civilians," Switzerland said in New York.
Switzerland condemns all violations of international humanitarian law. It also condemns the fact that hostilities in Gaza continue to cause numerous civilian casualties, such as the attack on the school last Saturday. According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 93 people were killed in this attack.
International humanitarian law prohibits – including armed groups such as Hamas – from using civilians to protect a military objective from attack. Even when this rule is violated, this in no way suspends Israel's obligation to comply strictly with international humanitarian law in the conduct of hostilities. This includes the principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality. "75 years ago, yesterday, the Geneva Conventions came into being. By adopting these Conventions, the member states committed themselves to preserving humanity, even in times of war," emphasised Switzerland in the Security Council and underlined that international humanitarian law must be respected by all parties to the conflict in the Middle East.
The humanitarian situation for the civilian population in Gaza remains intolerable: there is a risk of the spread of disease - as demonstrated by the resurgence of polio - and people are starving. Switzerland reminded the Council that the use of starvation as a method of warfare against the civilian population constitutes a war crime. In this context, it reiterated that the statements made by the Israeli Finance Minister last week were unacceptable and called for the immediate unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip.
Switzerland reiterated its call for the release of all hostages and urged the parties to participate constructively in the ceasefire talks led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt. A ceasefire in Gaza is crucial for regional de-escalation in the face of the threat of a major escalation in the entire Middle East region. Finally, Switzerland reiterated the need to restore a political horizon based on the two-state solution.
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