A UN official on Tuesday emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and called for the ultimate two-state solution, warning that the situation in the Middle East is more dangerous than it has been in decades.
At a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, noted that the Middle East is at "the most dangerous juncture." He highlighted the pressing need of a ceasefire in war-torn Gaza and a hostage release deal, saying that if action is not taken, it will be impossible to fundamentally change the perilous situation in the strip.
"We must do everything in our power to chart a course toward a just and lasting peace that would enable the two-state solution, on the basis of the UN resolution, previous agreements, and international law," said Wennesland.
Riyad Mansour, the permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the UN, said that Israel's relentless war in Gaza has driven displaced Palestinians to desperation, with the entire population of northern Gaza facing the threat of death. He criticized Israel for crossing numerous red lines of international law and severely violating UN rules.
The Israeli parliament passed a law on Monday banning the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating in areas controlled by Israel, which sparked widespread opposition from the international community.
Representatives from various countries at the UN criticized the Israeli decision for violating international humanitarian law, emphasizing the indispensable role of the UN agency in providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees.
UN official urges immediate Gaza ceasefire
Iran reserves the right to respond to the Israeli attacks last weekend, but will not act hastily, Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said in Tehran on Tuesday.
The Israel Defense Forces announced early Saturday that it conducted "precise and targeted" airstrikes on targets in Iran in response to recent attacks from the country. Iran's air defense headquarters said it successfully countered the Israeli attacks, which resulted in only "limited damage."
At a meeting in the Iranian capital with foreign ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions, the United Nations offices and international organizations in Iran, Araghchi said Iran had successfully curbed Israeli aggression and proved its ability to safeguard national security, but Israel must be held accountable for what it had done.
"Iran fully reserves its legal right to respond appropriately to such a clear aggression. Israel will realize the consequences of its underestimate of Iran's strength, capabilities and will. But Iran will neither hesitate in doing so nor act hastily," he said.
Araghchi also called for international organizations, including the United Nations, to immediately take responsible collective action to stop Israel's grave violations of international law and conventions and provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced people in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
Noting that there will be no peace in the region unless Israel stops its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, Araghchi said Israel's aggression against multiple countries is a military adventure that seriously threatens global peace and security.
He stressed that Iran has been fully prepared for more possible provocations and aggression by Israel.
The international community must stop the full support of the United States for Israel, Araghchi said, adding other parties should also play constructive roles in maintaining regional security and coping with Israel's military adventure and criminal acts.
Iran to respond to Israeli attacks, but not hastily: FM
