Delivered By: Ms. Fatema Yousuf, Charge d’ Affaires a.i.

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

Check against delivery

Mr. President,

At the outset, I would like to thank Mr. Khaled Khiari for his comprehensive briefing this morning, which shed light on the harsh and precarious reality in the Palestinian territory, particularly in the Gaza Strip. I also align myself with the statements delivered by the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab Group, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

 The United Arab Emirates reiterates its strong condemnation of the devastating war in Gaza—unprecedented in both scale and intensity— and the ongoing violence and grave violations committed against defenseless civilians, including indiscriminate killings and the widespread destruction of vital infrastructure, in blatant disregard of international law. These actions have resulted in the displacement of thousands and have subjected countless women, children, the elderly, and the sick to immense suffering and the threat of death.

My country also condemns the unjust blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip, which, alongside the systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid and attacks on those seeking it, has deepened an already dire humanitarian catastrophe. This blockade has triggered widespread famine, depleted essential supplies, and stood in clear violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. This was confirmed by the United Nations Secretary-General and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in their recent warnings of widespread famine and the collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza.

In response to the magnitude of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the UAE has undertaken a series of initiatives under Operation Gallant Knight. These efforts encompass the delivery of food assistance, the provision of essential supplies to sustain local bakeries, and the implementation of water desalination projects to address critical needs. Furthermore, the UAE has received hundreds of wounded and ailing individuals—along with their family members—for medical treatment at hospitals across the country.

Despite all ongoing regional and international efforts to reach a ceasefire, secure the entry of humanitarian aid, and release hostages, the absence of genuine political will has hindered any meaningful progress toward ending this war. This has allowed the bloodshed and human suffering to continue at a tragic pace.

We also draw attention to the dangerous escalation in the West Bank, marked by repeated incursions, arbitrary arrests, violent attacks against civilians, and the continued expansion of illegal settlements, which represents a clear violation of international law and undermines the prospects for achieving a just and lasting peace.

In this context, the UAE reiterates its unequivocal rejection of all Israeli practices that violate the rights of the Palestinian people—whether in Gaza or across the Occupied Palestinian Territory. This includes the abusive practices at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, as well as the Israeli plan to transfer the administration and oversight of the Ibrahimi Mosque from the Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and the Municipality of Al-Khalil to the Jewish Religious Council- an act which my country strongly condemns and denounces.

As we move forward, it is essential that we work together with unwavering resolve to advance the following four key demands:

First: Securing an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire, and releasing detainees, hostages and prisoners. In this context, we renew our support for the mediation efforts led by the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United States.

Second: Lifting the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip and ensuring the protection of all civilians, while enabling the United Nations, particularly UNRWA, to fulfill its vital and indispensable humanitarian mandate by delivering large-scale aid safely and unhindered to all those in need, in full compliance with the principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence.

Third: Halting all actions aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians or altering the demographic composition across all areas of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Fourth: Ending the occupation, halting all settlement activities, and revitalizing the political process based on the two-State solution. This remains the only viable path to breaking the cycle of violence and advancing toward the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

In this regard, we welcome the announcement of the resumption of the international conference on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State solution, co-chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of France, and we are hopeful that it will yield tangible steps toward ending the conflict and fostering security and stability in the region.

Thank you, Mr. President.