Palestine’s UN envoy urged the UN Security Council on Thursday to visit the Gaza Strip and witness the atrocities inflicted on Palestinian children by Israeli forces.
“With the ceasefire in place, which should become permanent, it is time for the Security Council to see first-hand the devastation our people and children have endured due to Israel’s actions,” said Riyad Mansour during a session focused on Gaza’s children.
Mansour accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during 15 months of conflict and 17 years of blockade. He called on the Council to witness the consequences of “double standards and the lack of accountability” afforded to Israel as an occupying power.
Expressing solidarity with Gaza’s residents, Mansour vowed to represent their voices until the Israeli occupation ends. He also reiterated the Palestinian Authority’s readiness to take responsibility for Gaza and the West Bank.
He emphasised the urgent need for Israel to release “thousands of detained doctors, journalists, and academics” to aid Gaza’s recovery. Mansour also urged global leaders to maintain Israel on the UN’s list of child rights violators and called for an end to arms supplies to the country.
“We cannot accept a future where our children’s only options are a grave in Gaza, a detention cell in the West Bank, or a displacement camp in East Jerusalem,” Mansour concluded.
