‘We need an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,’ Switzerland emphasised today at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. On the occasion of World Food Day on 16 October, Switzerland recalled in New York that the famine in Gaza threatens the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, especially children. It emphasised that the use of starvation as a method of warfare constitutes a war crime. The people in the Gaza Strip are facing a catastrophic humanitarian situation: schools that have become places of refuge and hospital complexes are being bombed. The almost complete lack of humanitarian aid is also exposing the civilian population to epidemics. These include polio. The humanitarian situation of the hostages still being held by Hamas is also catastrophic.
In this context, Switzerland calls on all parties – including Hamas and other armed groups in the Gaza Strip – to strictly comply with international humanitarian law. Hamas' violations of international law do not suspend Israel's duty to respect international humanitarian law. This includes Israel's urgent need to take effective measures to provide the civilian population in Gaza with basic services and humanitarian aid, as required by the International Court of Justice. This requires Israel to work closely with humanitarian agencies of the United Nations, including WHO, UNICEF and UNRWA, to ensure that they have rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to carry out their work, including the second phase of the polio vaccination campaign.
At the Security Council, Switzerland reiterated its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and reaffirmed its condemnation of the terrorist acts carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023.
In the face of the massive escalation of violence in the occupied Palestinian territory and the region, compliance with international humanitarian law and the implementation of Security Council resolutions are indispensable steps on the road to de-escalation and peace. Switzerland therefore supports all efforts towards a negotiated two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine existing within secure and recognised borders.
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