New york: Palestine’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, has urged the international community to take immediate action to halt what he described as Israel’s ongoing ‘genocide’ against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
According to Qatar News Agency, in three identical letters sent on Wednesday to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the President of the UN Security Council for October (Russia), and the President of the UN General Assembly, Mansour accused Israel – described as the occupying power – of waging a relentless war for the past two years, ignoring global calls for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, and the delivery of unrestricted humanitarian aid.
Mansour reported that since October 2023, nearly 68,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israeli military attacks, famine conditions, malnutrition, and disease – the majority of whom are women and children. He said total casualties in Gaza have now exceeded 237,000, including those killed, wounded, or missing.
He also noted that at least 10,800 Palestinians are currently detained in Israeli prisons, and that the toll among humanitarian and medical workers is severe, with more than 1,722 killed – including at least 370 UNRWA staff. In addition, 270 Palestinian journalists have reportedly been killed in Gaza, which Mansour described as part of a “war on truth,” amid continued restrictions on international media and aid access.
He highlighted the near-total destruction of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, stating that over 90% of homes, hospitals, schools, universities, mosques, churches, and essential services like water, sanitation, and electricity networks have been destroyed, along with agricultural land and businesses.
Turning to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Mansour said more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed over the same period, while over 40,000 have been forcibly displaced due to Israeli military raids, settler violence, and ongoing illegal settlement expansion.
Mansour called on the international community – particularly the Security Council and General Assembly – to act urgently to save lives and prevent further catastrophe, including through an arms embargo on Israel, economic sanctions, and accountability via the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
He concluded by reaffirming the Palestinian demand to end the Israeli occupation, ensure justice and human rights for the Palestinian people, and work toward a just and lasting peace.