Palestinian envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, urged the international community to demand an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using the conflict to sabotage peace efforts and undermine US-led initiatives.
Speaking at a Security Council meeting, Mansour said that Netanyahu’s goals are to prolong the conflict and continue the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, and that the only way to stop this is by achieving an immediate cease-fire.
Mansour also called on countries to stop providing arms, money, and trade with Israel, citing their obligations to not contribute to Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.
The envoy urged an end to the “illegal 57-year occupation” and held Israeli leaders accountable for the failure that led to the October attack by Hamas.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of nearly 37,700 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and over 86,200 injuries. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with vast tracts of land destroyed and a crippling blockade of essential goods.