Ambassador Amar Bendjama Urges Unconditional Ceasefire in Gaza Amid Humanitarian Crisis and Sharp Decline in Aid, Condemns Erosion of International Norms at UN Security Council

In a powerful address to the UN Security Council during discussions on “The Situation in the Middle East, Including the Palestinian Question,” Bendjama expressed profound concern over the drastic reduction in humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, despite the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2720, which sought to ensure uninterrupted assistance to the besieged population.

“Nine months after the adoption of Resolution 2720, designed to guarantee continuous humanitarian aid to a population on the brink of starvation, we find ourselves confronting an unsettling reality. Although operationally the mechanism we established is functional, the results we anticipated have not materialized,” Bendjama declared, underscoring the failure of the international community to meet the crisis with the necessary resolve.

Bendjama lamented the sharp decline in aid deliveries, citing UN data that showed only 62 trucks entered Gaza daily in the first 10 days of September—a significant drop from the 97 trucks that crossed into the enclave in December 2023 when the resolution was adopted. Prior to the resolution’s adoption, over 500 trucks entered Gaza daily, a stark contrast to the current situation.

“This is not a logistical failure,” Bendjama stressed. “It is a deepening political deadlock, perpetuated by the Zionist entity, and we are increasingly trapped in an inescapable cycle.”

He continued by asserting that “our well-intentioned efforts to address a political crisis through purely humanitarian and logistical means have proven insufficient.”

In this context, Bendjama reiterated the need for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. “A ceasefire is not merely desirable, but imperative—and without preconditions,” he stated emphatically, framing it as the only path forward to alleviate the suffering and bring stability to the region.

Bendjama also highlighted the alarming deaths of six UNRWA staff members in Zionist airstrikes, condemning the attack as not only a violation of international norms but also a dangerous reminder of the erosion of the very standards that the global community has worked so hard to establish. “This is not just reprehensible; it starkly illustrates the gradual degradation of international norms, which we have strived for decades to build,” he said, adding that impunity for such actions would only lead to further decay in the value of Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law.

Quoting UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, Bendjama warned that “the longer impunity persists, the more the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law will become irrelevant.”

Despite the gravity of the situation, Bendjama pointed to a glimmer of hope, citing a recent polio vaccination campaign in Gaza that, as of September 13, had reached 560,000 of the 625,000 children in need. This achievement, he argued, demonstrated what could be accomplished when political will is mobilized. “This success is a testament to what is possible when there is the necessary political commitment and effective coordination among UN agencies and donors,” he remarked, praising the collaborative efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and UNRWA.

Bendjama further noted that the campaign underscored critical lessons, particularly the indispensable role of inter-agency coordination and the frontline efforts of UNRWA personnel. “UNRWA remains vital, and its staff are on the frontlines of crucial initiatives, as demonstrated by this vaccination campaign,” he said.

He called for urgent prioritization of rapid recovery projects to prevent further deterioration of living conditions in Gaza. “If polio can be prevented through vaccination, there are other diseases that may not be so easily averted. We must act now, before it is too late,” Bendjama warned.

Looking ahead, Bendjama acknowledged the immense challenges that lie ahead but offered a clear path forward. “The road ahead is difficult, but the course is clear. Implementing Resolution 2720 requires not only the establishment of a ceasefire but also the restoration of stability in Gaza and the execution of a well-coordinated reconstruction plan.”

He concluded by urging the international community to shoulder its immense responsibility in working tirelessly to bring about a ceasefire and laying the groundwork for a more stable and prosperous future for the region. “The international community bears an enormous burden, and it is incumbent upon us to work relentlessly to facilitate the ceasefire and pave the way for a future marked by peace, stability, and prosperity,” he declared.