パレスチナ問題を含む中東情勢に関する安保理ブリーフィングにおける山﨑大使ステートメント

 

 
Thank you, Madam President.
 
I thank Special Coordinator Wennesland and Mr. Chris Lockyear, Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières for their valuable briefings.
 
Madam President,
 
Nearly 140 days have passed since Hamas and others’ abhorrent acts of terror against Israel took place. We reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of this heinous act and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas and other groups.
 
140 days of hostilities are also far too long to bear witness to. Reportedly, nearly 30,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, 75% of the population displaced, and an estimated 70% of homes destroyed or damaged.
 
Japan is deeply concerned about the Israeli military offensive into Rafah, where almost 1.5 million people are sheltering. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been a nightmare for too long. It is also regrettable that the World Food Programme has to pause food deliveries to northern Gaza, despite widespread starvation and disease.
 
To meet the enormous humanitarian requirements, more coordination between relevant parties is necessary. We also need more trucks and fuel inside Gaza to ensure consistent and predictable aid delivery. We urge Israel to open additional border crossings and secure humanitarian corridors so that humanitarian actors can safely carry out their work.
 
We strongly support the efforts of UN Senior Coordinator Ms. Sigrid Kaag to overcome the many impediments to reaching those in need.
 
In this vein, Japan reiterates that a humanitarian ceasefire needs to be realized promptly in such a way as to ensure a conducive environment for sufficient humanitarian assistance activities as well as to lead to the release of the remaining hostages, therefore resulting in the realization of a sustainable ceasefire.
 
The Security Council was unable to adopt a resolution two days ago, but our collective endeavor must continue. We also express deep appreciation for the ongoing 4-party diplomatic talks hoping that they swiftly bear fruit.

Madam President,
 
The conflict is already spreading over across the region, from Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, intensified hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, and to the provocative attacks against vessels by the Houthis in the Red Sea. We cannot afford a wider conflict which would reverberate around the world. All parties must abide by international law, including international humanitarian law, and observe in good faith relevant Security Council resolutions.
 
Japan takes the allegations made against UNRWA seriously. At the same time, we also understand that its services are vital to Palestinians across the region. We therefore hope that the independent investigations now underway will be efficiently and swiftly concluded and that the Agency will take appropriate measures, including strengthening its governance, in order to restore the trust of international donors in a sustainable way and broaden donor bases.
 
Japan will continue to work with other Council members towards regional stability. It is high time that we heed the many calls to save lives, including from the ICJ in its legally binding Order on the provisional measures.
 
To conclude, I would like to stress that de-escalation and a humanitarian ceasefire are prerequisites for the ultimate goal that we all wish to see, which is two independent states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.
 
I thank you, Madam President.