The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question - Security Council, 9950th meeting

‘Human toll mounting’, Security Council told, as focus shifts back to Gaza after Israel-Iran ceasefire.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 02:36:21
• Production Date: 30 June 2025
• Asset Language: Arabic; English; French; Russian; Spanish; Chinese; Original
• Personal Subject: MOHAMED KHALED KHIARI
• Corporate Name: DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL AND PEACEBUILDING AFFAIRS - DPPA; DEPARTMENT OF PEACE OPERATIONS - DPO; UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST - UNRWA
• Subject Topical: MIDDLE EAST SITUATION; HOSTILITY; CONFLICT; CEASEFIRES; HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE; FOOD DISTRIBUTION; TERRITORIES OCCUPIED BY ISRAEL; AID PROGRAMMES; HUNGER; INTERNATIONAL LAW; TWO-STATE SOLUTION; INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW; PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
• Geographic Subject: MIDDLE EAST; PALESTINE; ISRAEL; IRAN; GAZA; WEST BANK
• MAMS Id: 3419400
• Parent Id: 3418956
• Alternate Title: MTG SC 9550 MIDDLE EAST 30 JUN 2025 AM

Description

“The devastating human toll is mounting” in Gaza, a senior United Nations official informed the Security Council today, while speakers for Israel and the State of Palestine traded barbs about issues ranging from Palestinian statehood to attacks on Palestinians seeking aid. 

Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific at the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, described the worsening impact of ongoing hostilities, as Council members shifted their focus back to Gaza following a brokered ceasefire that paused the conflict between Israel and Iran. Citing figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health, he said that since 7 October 2023, 56,500 Palestinians have been killed, with 1,068 fatalities since 17 June, an average of 82 per day. 

Highlighting several incidents, including the striking by Israeli forces of three houses in Jabalia on 19 June, killing at least 14 people from the same family, he also drew attention to ongoing casualties resulting from attacks on Palestinians seeking aid from militarized food distribution points and aid convoys. Since 17 June, at least 580 Palestinians have been killed either trying to reach Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution points or waiting for other aid convoys, he said, citing the killing of 49 Palestinians on 24 June, when Israel Defense Forces troops reportedly opened fire near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites north of Al Bureij Camp and north-west Rafah. 

“The United Nations will not participate in any aid delivery modality that does not comply with the fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality,” he said. Turning to the fiscal crisis faced by the Palestinian Authority, he called for a resolution to Israel’s increased withholding of clearance revenues, and for the international community to prepare the Palestinian Authority to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza. 

• Briefer: Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific 
• Statements: All Council members 
• Further statement: United States of America 
• Statement: Observer State of Palestine 
• Further statement: United States of America 
• Statement: Israel 
• Further statement: Observer State of Palestine 
• Further statement: Israel 
• Further statement: Observer State of Palestine 

Related Sites and Documents

UN Meetings Coverage

S/PV.9950