Palestine’s ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, has said the permanence and success of the Gaza ceasefire depend on a full Israeli withdrawal from the territory and an end to efforts to dictate Gaza’s future.
Addressing the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Mansour welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025, saying it offered an immediate path toward ending the killing, famine and what he described as an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
“We support the plan because it offered an immediate path toward ending the killing and suffering,” Mansour said, while noting that the ceasefire’s objectives had yet to be fully realised.
Although acknowledging that thousands of lives had been saved, Mansour questioned the absence of accountability for Palestinian victims and highlighted the scale of unresolved loss.
“What about the countless Palestinian families whose loved ones have been killed, with thousands of bodies still crushed and buried under rubble yet to be found, yet to be identified and to be given dignified burial?” he asked.
He also referred to Palestinians who were detained or went missing, saying many had been “denied, tortured, humiliated, starved, raped, or remain unaccounted for,” stressing that the suffering of Palestinian civilians must be ended with the same urgency afforded to others.
Mansour condemned Israeli actions against humanitarian organisations, accusing Israel of waging a “war against humanitarian actors,” including the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and other non-governmental organisations.
He said their work had been undermined by repeated attacks on UN facilities, including the seizure and destruction of UNRWA’s headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem.
Reiterating that Israel has no sovereignty over Palestinian land, Mansour told the council that the occupation confers no legal rights in Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem.
“The ceasefire’s permanence and success require that Israel cease trying to dictate the future of Gaza and to fully withdraw from the territory,” he said, adding that Gaza is “an integral part of the Palestinian territory” belonging to the Palestinian people.
Mansour also called for Gaza to be reunified with the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, saying Palestinian self-determination and statehood “cannot be disposed of,” and urging Israel to halt any plans to forcibly displace Palestinians.
He said Palestine remains ready to work with the United States and international partners to uphold the ceasefire and begin recovery and reconstruction.
“Palestine needs a just peace more than any other country because it suffers most in its absence,” Mansour said, adding that Palestinians are seeking “a peaceful path to freedom.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said there was an "all-day negotiation" on Tuesday with Iran, characterising the talks positively while also threatening t...
Iran says it is holding “positive” talks with Oman on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic, while an official source familiar with t...
Top Arab and Muslim foreign ministers agreed at a meeting in Amman on Wednesday to establish a mechanism to document alleged Israeli violations in Jer...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 5th of August, covering the latest developments.
U.S. President Donald Trump said there was an "all-day negotiation" on Tuesday with Iran, characterising the talks positively while also threatening to hit Iran "really hard" if a deal was not reached.
Tehran had made plans to strike sites in Ukraine after Kyiv attacked an Iranian cargo ship in the Caspian Sea, a senior Iranian military adviser has said. Iran refrained from taking action after Kyiv said the strike was a mistake, Mohsen Rezaei told the state IRIB TV channel.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 4th of August, covering the latest developments.
U.S. data analytics firm Palantir Technologies has reported a 93 per cent year-on-year jump in second-quarter revenue, even as the company faces continued criticism over its work with Israel's military and allegations linking its technology to the war in Gaza.a.
Iran says it is holding “positive” talks with Oman on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic, while an official source familiar with the negotiations has said an “agreement is within reach”.
Top Arab and Muslim foreign ministers agreed at a meeting in Amman on Wednesday to establish a mechanism to document alleged Israeli violations in Jerusalem, urging coordinated international action to protect the city's religious sites.
Pakistan has stepped up flood preparedness after the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that El Niño is expected to strengthen from August, increasing the risk of more extreme weather worldwide as monsoon rains continue across the country.
Afghanistan has launched a five-year national health strategy to strengthen healthcare services as the country faces severe funding shortages, rising humanitarian needs and mounting pressure on its health system.
At least 14 people have been killed and several others injured after lightning struck across the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, highlighting the dangers of the country's annual monsoon season.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment