Security Council debates ‘serious and dangerous escalation’ in the Middle East

“The international community must work together to prevent any actions that could make the conflict much bigger and wider very quickly,” Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for political affairs said, warning of skyrocketing tensions in the wake of the killing of a top Hamas leader in Tehran earlier in the day.

The killing came against the backdrop of Israeli strikes against southern Beirut, following an apparent strike in a village in the Israeli-occupied Golan, and intense exchanges across the Blue Line, which separates Israeli and Lebanese armed forces.

The incidents claimed several lives, including those of children.

Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, briefs the Security Council.

Serious and dangerous escalation

“The various attacks over the past few days represent a serious and dangerous escalation,” she continued, highlighting the ongoing war in Gaza, which erupted following the brutal 7 October attack by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in southern Israel.

Over 1,200 Israelis were killed and over 200 were taken hostage. Dozens among them still remain in captivity.

In the Gaza Strip, more than 38,000 Palestinians are reported to have been killed as a result of Israel’s military operation, a further 88,000 injured and about 90 per cent of the population displaced – many several times.  

Effective diplomatic action needed

Ms. DiCarlo reiterated UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for “maximum restraint by all”, stressing that “restraint alone is insufficient at this extremely sensitive time.”

“Diplomatic efforts to change the trajectory and seek a path toward regional peace and stability are urgently needed,” she underscored.  

“Communication by means of missiles, armed drones and other deadly attacks must end.”

She appealed to the international community to work together to prevent “any actions that could make the conflict much bigger and wider very quickly”.

“We need swift and effective diplomatic action for regional de-escalation. This Council plays a crucial role in this regard. The time is now,” she concluded.

Council members urge actors to act with restraint  

Following the briefing, Security Council members emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation, ceasefire and diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation of the conflict in the region. They also highlighted the impact on civilians, especially on women and children who are bearing the brunt of the fighting, as well as on humanitarians and journalists.

Algerian Ambassador and Permanent Representative Amar Bendjama condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh by Israel as “not merely an attack on one man” but “a vicious assault on the very foundations of diplomatic relations, the sanctity of State sovereignty and the principles that underpin our global order”. He called for full accountability for Israel’s “heinous war crimes” and “egregious human rights violations”.

United States Ambassador Robert Wood and Deputy Permanent Representative, underscored Israel’s right to self-defence, stating that his country was not involved in the strikes on Lebanon or in the apparent death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. He urged Council members with direct influence over Iran to increase pressure on the country to stop escalating its proxy conflict against Israel and other actors.

Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani of Iran addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

Iran: The killing is an act of terror  

Amir Saeid Iravani, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN, said that his country called for the emergency Council meeting “to address a matter of grave importance of urgency.”

He denounced the “cowardly assassination…by Israel” of Ismail Haniyeh, the top Hamas political official, who was on an official visit to Iran, upon invitation of the Government, to attend the inauguration of the new Iranian President.

“This act of terror is another manifestation of Israel’s decades-long pattern of terrorism and sabotage targeting Palestinians and other supporters of the Palestinian cause across the region and beyond,” he said.

In addition to its terrorist objective, Israel was also pursuing political goals, aiming to disrupt the first day of the new Government of Iran that has prioritized peace and stability in the region, he alleged.

He strongly condemned the “horrible act” as the most serious violation of international law and the UN Charter, urging “immediate and effective action” by the Security Council. 

Ambassador Feda Abdelhady, Deputy Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

Palestine: Grave breaches of international law

Feda Abdelhady, Deputy Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN, said that it had been nearly 300 days since the start of Israel’s war in Gaza, which has “gravely breached all tenets of international law” and flagrantly violated the UN Charter.

“A war that threatens international peace and security. Yet, Israel is being permitted to wage this war in broad daylight, with no restraints and no consequences,” she said, adding that “every day brings more horrors, losses and suffering for our people as Israeli occupying forces murder Palestinian children, women and men.”

Ms. Abdelhady “unequivocally condemned” the breach of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iran as well as of Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, by Israel.

“We call once again with utmost urgency on the Security Council, the General Assembly and all law-abiding, peace-loving nations to act forthwith to bring a halt to these horrific, criminal Israeli aggressions against the Palestinian people and on our region,” she said.

Israel: ‘Hypocrisy’ on display today

Brett Jonathan Miller, Deputy Permanent Representative of Israel, addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

Israeli Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative Brett Jonathan Miller began his remarks by stressing what he called “the rank hypocrisy on display here today” as the meeting was called by “the world’s number one sponsor of terrorism”.

He said Iran has used its proxies – Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah – to target Israel and its citizens from every direction.

Mr. Miller asked where were the condemnations of Hezbollah and their Iranian suppliers for the butchery of the 12 children in Majdal Shams.

“All that was heard were expressions of concern for escalation and calling for both sides –again equating a democratic Member State of the United Nations with a vicious terrorist organization – to show restraint,” he said.

He told the Council that those who really seek stability in the region should welcome the removal of arch terrorists and not call on both sides to restrain themselves.

Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak of Syria addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

Syria: Serious crime committed in the Golan

Syrian Ambassador and Permanent Representative Koussay Aldahhak said the Israeli occupying entity “had committed a grave crime” in Majdal Shams that led to the death of 12 children in Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which “is and always has been” Syrian territory.

Reiterating that fellow citizens in the occupied-Syrian Golan have always been part of Syria, he said they call for Israeli practices against them to end. An occupying power cannot claim that they are defending themselves under Article 51 of the UN Charter, he stressed.

Syria condemns Israeli aggression on States in the region, including the assassination of Mr. Haniyeh in Iran and the killing of citizens in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

“The war criminals in Israel would not be able to continue without support,” he said, calling on the Council to immediately put an end to these crimes and ensure accountability.

Ambassador Hadi Hachem Lebanon addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

Lebanon: We do not want war

Lebanese Ambassador and Permanent Representative Hadi Hachem said his country and its people “do not want war”, adding that Beirut has presented a roadmap to ensure security and break the cycle of violence, but has not yet received a response.

At the same time, Israel’s attack on the capital had resulted in deaths and injuries, he said, adding that such an act demonstrates its true intentions. In the same vein, Israel’s killing today of two journalists show a pattern of targeting media.

Ending Israel’s occupation of Arab lands is essential if the region is to return to calm and stability, he said.

That requires good faith, he continued, however, Israel’s behaviour demonstrates otherwise and its claims of self-defence in occupied territories are not valid.

“History will spare no one; what starts in the Middle East will spread to the whole world,” he warned, calling on the Council to take a stand “before it is too late”.