Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Briefing, Agenda Item “the Situation in the Middle East”
2024/10/10
(As delivered)
Thank you, Madam President.
And I thank USG DiCarlo and USG Lacroix for their briefings.
During the past year, the exchanges of fire across the Blue Line have become a daily event.
This is not consistent with the contents of resolution 1701, which, I quote, “calls for a full cessation of hostilities, based upon, in particular, the immediate cessation by Hizbollah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive military operation,” end of quote.
This Council has gathered many times over the past weeks, calling for de-escalation.
Yet instead, the attacks and hostilities have intensified. To react to the Hezbollah’s persistent offensive, large-scale Israeli air strikes in Lebanon, including Beirut, and IDF ground operations in Lebanon, started.
We continue to see more attacks and more casualties every day.
This cycle of violence must stop now.
We must avoid any further escalation that could potentially expand into a full-fledged war in the Middle East.
We urge all parties to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid further conflict with global ramifications.
Madam President,
Japan is seriously concerned about the severe humanitarian situation in Lebanon.
More than 2,000 people have been killed and thousands of others have been injured over the last year.
Many civilians, including women and children, are among them.
Hospitals and healthcare workers are under attack.
All parties must recall their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and immediately take every measure to prevent civilian casualties.
Moreover, over one million people in Lebanon have been forced to flee their homes, seeking shelter and food, both inside and outside the country.
Japan has contributed a total of over 290 million dollars of humanitarian aid to Lebanon since 2012, and we are considering providing additional assistance, in accordance with people’s needs under the current dire situation.
Even in this difficult time, UNIFIL remains in Lebanon and continues to carry out its mandate.
We are extremely alarmed by a report this morning, that two UNIFIL peacekeepers were injured after an IDF tank fired toward an observation tower at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura.
We fully respect UNIFIL’s work and request all measures to be taken to ensure the safety and security of its peacekeepers.
Madam President,
The world is on the brink of a global crisis.
Further escalation in the Middle East would bring devastating consequences world-wide, including an energy crisis.
We must make every effort to avoid this.
Thus, we call again for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, as well as in Gaza.
We urge all regional players to act responsibly and with restraint, to cease a dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation.
A diplomatic solution is the only way forward.
Thank you, Madam President.
And I thank USG DiCarlo and USG Lacroix for their briefings.
During the past year, the exchanges of fire across the Blue Line have become a daily event.
This is not consistent with the contents of resolution 1701, which, I quote, “calls for a full cessation of hostilities, based upon, in particular, the immediate cessation by Hizbollah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive military operation,” end of quote.
This Council has gathered many times over the past weeks, calling for de-escalation.
Yet instead, the attacks and hostilities have intensified. To react to the Hezbollah’s persistent offensive, large-scale Israeli air strikes in Lebanon, including Beirut, and IDF ground operations in Lebanon, started.
We continue to see more attacks and more casualties every day.
This cycle of violence must stop now.
We must avoid any further escalation that could potentially expand into a full-fledged war in the Middle East.
We urge all parties to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid further conflict with global ramifications.
Madam President,
Japan is seriously concerned about the severe humanitarian situation in Lebanon.
More than 2,000 people have been killed and thousands of others have been injured over the last year.
Many civilians, including women and children, are among them.
Hospitals and healthcare workers are under attack.
All parties must recall their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and immediately take every measure to prevent civilian casualties.
Moreover, over one million people in Lebanon have been forced to flee their homes, seeking shelter and food, both inside and outside the country.
Japan has contributed a total of over 290 million dollars of humanitarian aid to Lebanon since 2012, and we are considering providing additional assistance, in accordance with people’s needs under the current dire situation.
Even in this difficult time, UNIFIL remains in Lebanon and continues to carry out its mandate.
We are extremely alarmed by a report this morning, that two UNIFIL peacekeepers were injured after an IDF tank fired toward an observation tower at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura.
We fully respect UNIFIL’s work and request all measures to be taken to ensure the safety and security of its peacekeepers.
Madam President,
The world is on the brink of a global crisis.
Further escalation in the Middle East would bring devastating consequences world-wide, including an energy crisis.
We must make every effort to avoid this.
Thus, we call again for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, as well as in Gaza.
We urge all regional players to act responsibly and with restraint, to cease a dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation.
A diplomatic solution is the only way forward.
Thank you, Madam President.