At an emergency meeting today, the UN Security Council once again discussed the situation in the Middle East, in particular the forced displacement of the Palestinian population. Switzerland expressed its concern about the steady increase in violence and the suffering of the civilian population. In light of the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, it called for the facilitation of humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip and the release of the hostages remaining there. To this end, Switzerland emphasized the need for a lasting humanitarian ceasefire. In the Security Council, Switzerland reiterated its condemnation of the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7, in particular the sexual violence against women and girls.
In order to alleviate the suffering of civilians, it is essential that the two resolutions on the Middle East adopted by the Security Council in November and December be fully implemented. In particular, the resolutions call for an increase in humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip by ensuring rapid, safe and unhindered access in accordance with international humanitarian law. There is a serious risk of famine, which already affects about half a million people in Gaza.
Switzerland also emphasized in New York that the Geneva Conventions prohibit the forcible transfer of populations and that such transfer can constitute a war crime. It rejects calls for the expulsion of civilians from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza, and calls on the leadership of all parties to refrain from provocative statements. Furthermore, all violations of international law committed in Israel and throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory must be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. To this end, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently conducting an investigation into the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, covering both the events of October 7 and the ongoing events in Gaza and the West Bank.
The search for a political solution is urgent. In this context, Switzerland continues to support the two-state solution, so that Gaza can be rebuilt as part of a future Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel in peace and within secure and recognized borders.
Statement by Switzerland on the situation in the Middle East, UN Security Council, 12.01.2024
