Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council Briefing, Agenda item “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”

 
Thank you, Secretary-General Guterres, for your valuable briefing.
 
Mr. President, 
 
It has been more than two months since Hamas’s brutal terror attack on October 7, where more than 1,200 people were killed in Israel and around 250 taken hostage, more than half of whom are still held captive. We once again unequivocally condemn the terror attacks by Hamas and other militants and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. 
 
Since that attack, Gaza has descended into one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in the world. More than 17,000 Palestinians have been reportedly killed, the majority of them are women and children, and thousands more are under the rubble of destroyed buildings. This is an appalling loss of life.
 
Now, winter is approaching in Gaza, and the streets and UNRWA facilities are packed with the newly displaced, many of whom are fleeing for a second time. Most basic goods are not available. To echo the words of the Secretary-General, the nightmare in Gaza is “a crisis of humanity”.
 
 Mr. President,
 
Japan takes seriously the Secretary-General's invocation of Article 99 of the UN Charter urging the members of the Security Council to avert a humanitarian catastrophe, and to appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared given the grave human loss in such a short period of time.
 
We deeply regret that no significant humanitarian aid has been delivered since the breakdown of the humanitarian pause last week. The delivery of essential supplies solely through the Rafah crossing is utterly insufficient. We welcome that Israel agreed to open Kerem Shalom crossing for screening and inspection. The establishment of a monitoring mechanism under the authority of the UN is also critical.
 
Japan believes the Council cannot simply watch the situation deteriorating. It is our responsibility to address this grave humanitarian situation immediately. What is more, there are increasingly serious spillover concerns in the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and the Red Sea. This situation could all too easily engulf the already volatile region.
 
Against this backdrop, Japan’s position is clear. Humanitarian concerns should be given utmost priority. All parties must abide by UN Security Council resolution 2712. More than that, the Council must urgently speak in a united voice, whatever the language we may agree upon, to avert a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation. The bottom line is that hostilities must stop immediately for a period that allows for meaningful humanitarian operations to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.
 
Mr. President,
 
Only a two-state solution will enable both Israelis and Palestinians to live in lasting and secure peace.
 
Today that goal seems far off; Gaza has been devastated, the task of reconstruction will be enormous, and we must consider what political and security arrangements will be in place when the fighting stops. But even amidst the current desperate crisis, we must not forget that peace and coexistence is possible.
 
I thank you, Mr. President.