Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Briefing on “The Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question”
2024/10/16
(As delivered)
Thank you, Madam President.
I also thank Acting USG Msuya for her update on the grim reality on the ground.
The situation in Gaza remains desperate, with no end in sight.
We are now entering a second year of devastation since the horrific attack by Hamas and others on October 7th.
Japan once again firmly condemns the attack and hostage-taking of Hamas, and demands that all remaining hostages be immediately released.
Madam President,
Japan is deeply disturbed by the intensifying Israeli military activities in Gaza in recent days, particularly in the north.
We are appalled by the reports that attacks on displacement camps, schools and even hospitals have led to hundreds of casualties including many women and children.
The reports that hundreds of thousands of people are still trapped in this very dangerous situation in northern Gaza are profoundly alarming.
They have nowhere to go amidst the continued bombardments and little access to humanitarian aid, facing an imminent risk of starvation.
Moreover, Israel’s repeated evacuation orders have pushed the Palestinians in northern Gaza to the south, causing yet another massive displacement.
We amplify our strong demand that all parties to the conflict must act in accordance with international law including international humanitarian law.
Civilians and civilian objects must be protected, and safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid must be guaranteed at all times.
Madam President,
One glimmer of hope is the success of the second round of the polio vaccination campaign so far.
We are grateful to the UN agencies and personnel involved while taking note of coordination efforts by COGAT.
We urge all parties to ensure that the campaign can be safely completed so that this disease no longer threatens the children of Gaza and the region.
The vaccination effort demonstrates two things:
First, it shows what can be achieved when the parties work together to save innocent civilians, rather than keeping them in the crossfire and depriving them of basic human necessities and dignity.
Second, it shows the indispensable role that UNRWA is playing on the ground.
The Agency must be allowed to operate. We again express our grave concern about the bills proposed in the Israeli Knesset that would undermine its work and jeopardize essential services for millions of vulnerable Palestinian refugees.
Madam President,
As we all know, only a ceasefire can end this humanitarian catastrophe.
The deal outlined in Security Council resolution 2735 would allow for the release of all hostages, immediate ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians at scale.
It has been on the table for months, and the importance of this resolution remains unchanged.
We strongly hope the tireless mediation efforts of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar will persuade the parties to finally accept and implement it straightaway.
A ceasefire and release of hostages are an absolute prerequisite for the cessation of the ongoing human tragedies. What we see in front of us are not inevitable facts; they are human made tragedies. All concerned actors must work relentlessly to bring a halt to the fighting.
Japan will spare no diplomatic effort to that end.
I thank you, Madam President.
I also thank Acting USG Msuya for her update on the grim reality on the ground.
The situation in Gaza remains desperate, with no end in sight.
We are now entering a second year of devastation since the horrific attack by Hamas and others on October 7th.
Japan once again firmly condemns the attack and hostage-taking of Hamas, and demands that all remaining hostages be immediately released.
Madam President,
Japan is deeply disturbed by the intensifying Israeli military activities in Gaza in recent days, particularly in the north.
We are appalled by the reports that attacks on displacement camps, schools and even hospitals have led to hundreds of casualties including many women and children.
The reports that hundreds of thousands of people are still trapped in this very dangerous situation in northern Gaza are profoundly alarming.
They have nowhere to go amidst the continued bombardments and little access to humanitarian aid, facing an imminent risk of starvation.
Moreover, Israel’s repeated evacuation orders have pushed the Palestinians in northern Gaza to the south, causing yet another massive displacement.
We amplify our strong demand that all parties to the conflict must act in accordance with international law including international humanitarian law.
Civilians and civilian objects must be protected, and safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid must be guaranteed at all times.
Madam President,
One glimmer of hope is the success of the second round of the polio vaccination campaign so far.
We are grateful to the UN agencies and personnel involved while taking note of coordination efforts by COGAT.
We urge all parties to ensure that the campaign can be safely completed so that this disease no longer threatens the children of Gaza and the region.
The vaccination effort demonstrates two things:
First, it shows what can be achieved when the parties work together to save innocent civilians, rather than keeping them in the crossfire and depriving them of basic human necessities and dignity.
Second, it shows the indispensable role that UNRWA is playing on the ground.
The Agency must be allowed to operate. We again express our grave concern about the bills proposed in the Israeli Knesset that would undermine its work and jeopardize essential services for millions of vulnerable Palestinian refugees.
Madam President,
As we all know, only a ceasefire can end this humanitarian catastrophe.
The deal outlined in Security Council resolution 2735 would allow for the release of all hostages, immediate ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians at scale.
It has been on the table for months, and the importance of this resolution remains unchanged.
We strongly hope the tireless mediation efforts of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar will persuade the parties to finally accept and implement it straightaway.
A ceasefire and release of hostages are an absolute prerequisite for the cessation of the ongoing human tragedies. What we see in front of us are not inevitable facts; they are human made tragedies. All concerned actors must work relentlessly to bring a halt to the fighting.
Japan will spare no diplomatic effort to that end.
I thank you, Madam President.