While the humanitarian situation for the civilian population in Gaza is deteriorating daily, the precarious security situation does not allow humanitarian personnel and UN staff to do their work. For this reason, the UN Security Council met today in an emergency session, which was requested by Switzerland together with the United Kingdom.
Against the background of an imminent polio epidemic in the Gaza Strip, some 640,000 children under the age of ten are to be immunized. In order to carry out this immunization campaign, the UN and its partners require safe and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza. This is not currently guaranteed, and the current conditions of insecurity, ongoing fighting and evacuation orders are making UN operations extremely difficult. It is imperative that the vaccination campaign be carried out in complete safety for humanitarian workers and the civilian population," Switzerland emphasized at the emergency meeting. Switzerland is supporting the polio vaccination campaign with CHF 1 million, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis announced last Monday in Geneva.
In New York, Switzerland reiterated the urgency of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages. In this context, it also reiterated its support for the mediation by Egypt, Qatar and the US. It also reiterated its call for all parties to respect international humanitarian law and human rights in all circumstances. This also applies to armed groups such as Hamas.
In the Security Council, Switzerland also expressed its deep concern about the situation in the West Bank. “We are witnessing a sharp increase in Israeli operations," Switzerland said. Against this background, it reminded Israel of its obligations under international law. Among other things, the use of force must meet the criteria of necessity and proportionality, and the right to life and security of every individual must be guaranteed.
Finally, Switzerland emphasized that respect for international law and the implementation of Security Council resolutions is also an indispensable prerequisite for de-escalation and a first step towards a lasting peace based on a negotiated two-state solution in which Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders.
