Delivered by: HE Ambassador Mohammed AbuShahab

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

Check against delivery

Mr. President,

At the outset, I would like to thank you for responding promptly to the call of the Arab Group and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to resume the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly.

I align myself with the statements delivered on behalf of the Gulf and Arab Groups, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

This session is being held under extremely dangerous circumstances, as the Gaza Strip is undergoing a humanitarian catastrophe that is worsening by the day. Since Israel resumed its military operations last March, Gaza has been turned, yet again, into a hellscape of unimaginable devastation and suffering, especially with thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. The entry of shelter materials into Gaza is prohibited, further exacerbating the situation with widespread hunger, particularly in northern Gaza, despite the entry of very limited amounts of aid,

which are negligible compared to the enormous needs. The health system has almost completely collapsed due to Israeli attacks and the continuing months-long fuel ban.

Given this tragic situation, it was deeply disappointing that the Security Council failed earlier this month to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire. This failure betrayed the efforts of the fourteen Security Council members who supported the draft resolution, and the hopes of the Palestinian people and the international community.

The policy of collective punishment, depriving two million Palestinians of basic necessities, forcibly displacing hundreds of thousands, and targeting medical facilities, journalists, and humanitarian workers, are all flagrant violations of international humanitarian law.

Mr. President,

My country welcomes the adoption, today, by this Assembly of the draft resolution entitled “Protection of Civilians and Compliance with Legal and Humanitarian Duties,” which contains an important demand for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire and the full, safe, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

We also reiterate our support for the Egyptian, Qatari, and American efforts to achieve a ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees, and we affirm our aspiration to hold the planned high-level conference, co-chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic, to support the implementation of the two-state solution.

We express our deep concern over the continued escalation in the region and its repercussions for regional security and stability. We emphasize the importance of exercising maximum restraint and prudence to avoid expanding the scope of the conflict, and the need to resolve disputes through diplomatic means, adhere to international law, and respect the sovereignty of states.

In conclusion, we call on the international community to act collectively and decisively to save lives and end this protracted tragedy. The UAE will continue to support all international endeavors and efforts aimed at ending the war and start the path toward the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace and security alongside Israel.

Thank you, Mr. President.