Pakistan, representing a group of 17 nations, urged the United Nations to promptly establish a protective mechanism for Palestinian civilians facing ongoing bombardment in Gaza by the Israeli military.
Speaking at an informal UN General Assembly meeting, Ambassador Munir Akram highlighted the critical need for the UN’s intervention. He emphasized that the people of Gaza were counting on the UN to shield them from escalating violence. While the specific nature of the proposed mechanism was not detailed, Ambassador Akram affirmed it should align with international law and pertinent UN resolutions.
The nations supporting this appeal, represented by the Pakistani envoy, include Algeria, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Russia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. This collective call to action reflects a broad international concern for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Humanitarian Crisis and Call for Action
Ambassador Akram informed the 193-member Assembly of the grave humanitarian toll in Gaza: over 11,000 Palestinians dead, the majority being women and children, 27,000 injured, and thousands missing or trapped. He highlighted the extensive displacement of civilians, destruction of homes, and non-functionality of hospitals due to various factors, including attacks and resource scarcity.
The envoy also paid respects to the 102 UNRWA staff members who lost their lives in Gaza, marking a tragic milestone in UN history. In line with the General Assembly’s resolution from October 27, the group of 17 countries called for a “humanitarian truce,” immediate provision of essential supplies, the establishment of humanitarian corridors, and a mechanism to protect civilians, underscoring the global expectation for decisive action to resolve the conflict.
