NEW YORK – The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Palestine was thrust into the global spotlight once again as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, delivered a powerful and emotional address during a United Nations Security Council briefing. Speaking on the situation in the Middle East, with particular focus on the occupied Palestinian territories, the Pakistani envoy exposed the extent of Israel’s military actions and their devastating impact on Palestinian civilians, especially in Gaza and the West Bank.
Ambassador Asim’s remarks, anchored in the recently released report by the UN Secretary-General on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2334, painted a harrowing picture of human suffering, systematic oppression, and what he described as the international community’s failure to prevent the “dance of death” that continues unabated in Palestine.
UN Secretary-General’s Report: A Wake-Up Call on Gaza’s Brutality
Ambassador Asim opened his statement by referencing the UN Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemns illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. He described the findings as “shocking and intolerable,” emphasizing that the suffering detailed in the report surpassed even the worst humanitarian predictions.
According to the report, large-scale displacement, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and deliberate targeting of essential services have forced Palestinian families to relocate multiple times, leaving them confined to less than 20% of Gaza’s original land area. These remaining pockets of safety are still under constant threat, underscoring the precariousness of survival for the civilian population.
Rising Child Malnutrition and Death Toll Amid Aid Blockade
A significant portion of Ambassador Asim’s address focused on the devastating impact on Palestinian children, who have been disproportionately affected by the ongoing siege and military operations. He cited alarming figures: in May alone, over 5,100 children under five were admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition, a direct result of Israel’s siege tactics and restricted aid access.
The ambassador pointed out that UNICEF and other international organizations have repeatedly warned of a rapidly worsening malnutrition crisis in Gaza, yet their appeals have gone largely unanswered. Since the collapse of a temporary ceasefire in March 2025, more than 6,500 additional lives have been lost, many of them children, exacerbating what has become one of the most tragic humanitarian crises of the 21st century.
Unlawful Warfare Tactics and Civilian Casualties
Ambassador Asim highlighted that the Secretary-General’s report raised serious concerns about the methods and tactics employed by Israeli forces in Gaza. These include indiscriminate airstrikes, collective punishment of civilians, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war, all of which constitute violations of international humanitarian law.
The ambassador called for immediate accountability, urging the international community to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these atrocities. He further condemned Israel’s so-called “new aid distribution system,” which forces civilians to cross active conflict zones in order to access basic food and water. “It is nothing less than a death trap,” Ambassador Asim stated, echoing the Secretary-General’s own words.
This flawed and dangerous system has resulted in the deaths of over 500 Palestinians who were killed while attempting to retrieve humanitarian aid. According to Asim, such policies are designed not just to control aid but to degrade human dignity and force submission through starvation.
Expanding Occupation and West Bank Violence
While much of the focus has remained on Gaza, Ambassador Asim reminded the Security Council that Israeli violence is not confined to Gaza alone. He noted a surge in military raids, land confiscations, and settler violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
From October 7, 2023, to June 19, 2025, at least 949 Palestinians, including 200 children, were martyred in the West Bank, as per data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). More than 40,000 people have been forcibly displaced, making it the largest forced displacement of Palestinians since 1967.
The ambassador condemned the expansion of illegal settlements and the “unbridled impunity” with which Israeli settlers carry out attacks on Palestinian homes, schools, and places of worship — often with the tacit approval or outright support of Israeli security forces.
The Security Council’s Credibility at Stake
Ambassador Asim issued a stern warning to the Security Council, stating that if it fails to ensure the implementation of its own resolutions, it risks losing legitimacy and undermining the principles of the United Nations Charter, which this year marks its 80th anniversary.
He stressed that the Charter is built on the foundation of sovereignty, peace, and justice, all of which are being flagrantly violated in the occupied Palestinian territories. “The Security Council must not remain a silent spectator,” he said. “The real issue — the end of the illegal Israeli occupation — is not a matter of debate, but of justice delayed.”
Pakistan’s Demands: Ceasefire, Humanitarian Access, and a Two-State Solution
Ambassador Asim outlined Pakistan’s key demands before the Security Council:
- Immediate cessation of all military operations by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank.
- Permanent ceasefire to end the cycle of violence and prevent further loss of life.
- Unconditional and complete lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid.
- Safe and unhindered access for the UN and international aid agencies to deliver food, medical supplies, and essential services to affected Palestinians.
- Support for the Arab League and OIC’s joint reconstruction plan for Gaza, which aims to restore homes, schools, and hospitals and provide long-term development support.
The ambassador emphasized the importance of Security Council Resolution 2334, which demands an end to settlement expansion and preservation of the two-state solution framework. He called for time-bound and enforceable steps to halt illegal changes on the ground and prevent further annexation of Palestinian land.
Call for a Global Peace Conference and Political Solution
To move beyond declarations and into action, Ambassador Asim urged the Security Council and the broader international community to support the early convening of a high-level international conference. The goal: to initiate a credible, irreversible political process that would culminate in a two-state solution.
This vision would be based on:
- Pre-June 1967 borders, with
- Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.
Ambassador Asim stressed that such a resolution is not only consistent with international law and UN resolutions but is also essential for achieving a just, durable peace in the Middle East.
Conclusion: A Turning Point or Continued Injustice?
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmed’s remarks served as a powerful indictment of global inaction, as well as a plea for justice on behalf of millions of Palestinians. His speech reflected Pakistan’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause and its commitment to international law and humanitarian values.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches unprecedented levels, with malnourished children, mass displacement, and daily airstrikes, the international community faces a defining test. The question remains: Will the world rise to uphold justice, or will the dance of death in Palestine continue unchecked?
It is a moment that demands more than speeches — it demands concrete, coordinated, and courageous action.
