May 16 2021 under the auspices of China, which holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council this month, the UN Security Council held an emergency public meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by video.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the meeting that the meeting was taking place in the worst escalation of the situation in Gaza and Israel in years, and that the current hostilities were completely alarming.
The latest round of violence will only perpetuate the cycle of death, destruction and despair and push any hope of coexistence and peace further. Guterres called on all parties to immediately stop fighting and said the United Nations was actively engaged with the parties to achieve an immediate ceasefire.
Guterres expressed shock and regret at the casualties caused by the ongoing violence between the two sides in the Gaza Strip and expressed grave concern about the current humanitarian crisis there. Guterres stressed once again that the conflict could trigger an uncontrollable security and humanitarian crisis that would further fuel extremism in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Israel and the region as a whole.
In his speech, Guterres referred to an air strike on an international media building in Gaza, which he said was extremely worrying and that journalists must be allowed to work without fear and harassment. And this senseless cycle of bloodshed, terror and destruction must cease immediately.
Guterres reiterated that the United Nations remains firmly committed to working with Israel and Palestine, as well as with international and regional partners, including the Quartet on the Middle East, to achieve a lasting and just peace in the Palestinian-Israeli region.
The only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian issue is for the two sides to reach a sustainable political solution through negotiations on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements, so that the violent conflict can be brought to an end for good and a peaceful future for the Palestinians and Israelis.
