Thank you, Madam President.
I would like to thank all the elected members, especially our coordinators of Guyana, for their relentless efforts in favour of urgent and necessary action by this Council. I would like to thank all the members who supported our resolution.
Switzerland voted in favour of this draft resolution and regrets that it was not adopted due to the veto of a permanent member.
More than five months after the adoption of Resolution 2735, this draft reaffirmed our commitment to an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and to the safe, rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population.
Switzerland would like to underline that the obligations of the parties in this matter continue regardless of whether or not resolutions are adopted by this Council. It is high time that the parties respected these obligations and protected civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law. The violence and dehumanisation in this conflict must end.
I would like to underline the strong commitment of the Group of Elected Members (E10) to unified action by the Council. The Council can continue to count on us for future action to promote peace and security between Israelis and Palestinians and in the region as a whole.
Madam President.
The situation is urgent.
In Gaza, civilians are exposed to hostilities, incessant displacement, epidemics and the risk of imminent famine, while the hospital system has been almost completely destroyed. As the occupying power, Israel has a duty to ensure that the basic needs of the population in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are met.
This Council must also act, in accordance with its mandate, to bring about a ceasefire, release all hostages and protect civilians, including humanitarian personnel, particularly those of the UN. There must be an end to human suffering, a halt to the escalation of violence in the region and the foundations laid for the solution of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side, in peace, within secure and recognised borders.
Switzerland will continue to support all efforts in this direction.
Thank you.