UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY INFORMAL PLENARY MEETING TO HEAR A BRIEFING ON THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN THE GAZA STRIP
20 November 2023
Statement delivered by H.E. Mr James Larsen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
Australia thanks the President for convening this important briefing and I thank the briefers, who provided information to us last Friday.
The ongoing conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories has already claimed a harrowing number of civilian lives, and our thoughts are with all those impacted.
Australia welcomes UN Security Council Resolution 2712.
The resolution is an important demonstration of unity by members during this highly challenging time.
We support calls for all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children.
We support calls for all parties to refrain from depriving civilians in Gaza of basic services and humanitarian assistance indispensable to their survival.
We underscore the importance of protecting all medical and humanitarian staff, vehicles including ambulances, humanitarian sites, and critical infrastructure, including UN facilities, and to help facilitate the movement of aid convoys and patients, in particular sick and injured children and their care givers.
And we support the scaling up of the provision of humanitarian supplies to meet urgent needs, including through extended humanitarian pauses.
Australia wants to see the next steps towards a ceasefire, agreed by both parties.
We welcome recent reports of diplomatic efforts towards the safe release of hostages and to facilitate safe humanitarian access, and we encourage all steps towards this.
Australia is providing humanitarian assistance to help meet essential and emerging needs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Egypt and Lebanon including medical supplies and emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
And we continue to support the ongoing efforts of international partners to prevent the conflict from widening.
The devastating crisis in Gaza underscores the need for a political solution to the long-running conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
Ultimately, a just and enduring peace requires a two-state solution. An Israeli state alongside a Palestinian state. Israelis and Palestinians living securely and prosperously within internationally recognised borders.
Thank you.