Security Council Discusses Situation in the Middle EastNew York, 26 Feb (ONA) — The UN Security Council held its regular monthly briefing and closed consultations on “The
Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question.”
Addressing the meeting, Permanent Representative of Palestine to
the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, asserted that Israel’s strategy in
the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the broader West Bank is clear,
which is to eradicate the Palestinian demographic presence and
ultimately erase Palestinian geography.

Riyad emphasized that that the conflict cannot be resolved
through military means, but only through a political solution. He
underscored that the only way forward is to uphold the ceasefire in
the Gaza Strip and ensure its full implementation in accordance with
Security Council Resolution 2735, while also halting the escalation
and aggression in the West Bank.

In turn, Ambassador Amar Bendjama, Algeria’s Permanent
Representative to the United Nations, stated that the Israeli
occupation has killed approximately 18,000 children in the Gaza
Strip, and this demands an independent investigation.

He emphasized the importance of fully implementing the ceasefire
agreement, stressing that the ceasefire must be upheld in accordance
with Security Council Resolution 2735.

He further added that reconstruction efforts in Gaza require a
comprehensive plan to ensure the Palestinian people can remain on
their land.

Bendjama noted that the occupation has adopted a scorched-earth
policy in Gaza and is now extending its aggression to the West Bank.

He condemned the recent decision by the Israeli occupation to
seize $90 million in Palestinian tax revenues, asserting that
weakening the Palestinian Authority is a dangerous path that
threatens the very foundation of the Palestinian national project.— Ends/Khalid