UN Security Council to hold debate on Middle East, including Palestine

The UN Security Council will hold its quarterly public debate this Wednesday on « The Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. » Russia, currently holding the rotating presidency of the Security Council for July, has chosen to organize this meeting as a signature event at the ministerial level.

Earle Courtenay Rattray, Chief of Staff to the Secretary-General, is expected to deliver a speech on behalf of Antonio Guterres. The meeting will be chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Rattray is likely to update the Council on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where a high risk of famine persists, according to a recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report. He may highlight the challenges the UN faces in meeting the humanitarian needs of Palestinians in the enclave.

Some Council members might address recent attacks in Al Mawasi, Khan Younis, which resulted in approximately 100 casualties, half of whom were women and children, despite the area being designated as a « humanitarian zone. »

Scott Anderson, Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator and Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza, revealed witnessing « some of the most horrific scenes » in his nine months in the enclave, including « double amputee toddlers, children paralyzed and unable to receive treatment, and others separated from their parents. »

The UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory stated that the use of « wide-area effect weapons in densely populated areas » by Israeli forces, despite overwhelming evidence of disproportionate harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure, suggests a deliberate violation of the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution under international humanitarian law.

Some members might reference recent evacuation orders in Gaza, issued by Israel, pushing Palestinians towards forced displacement, and reiterate their calls for a ceasefire. They are also expected to discuss the situation in the occupied West Bank and recent Israeli decisions to advance settlements.

The death toll from the Israeli offensive on Gaza has risen to 38,794, with 89,364 injured since October 7, 2023, according to Palestinian health authorities. In the past 24 hours alone, 81 Palestinians were killed and 198 injured in four separate incidents.

The ongoing Israeli aggression has resulted in massive infrastructure destruction and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian enclave.