Cairo: The Arab League on Sunday urged the United Nations to enforce the resolutions of international legitimacy to bring the war on the Gaza Strip to a close. The Palestinian cause places the UN in a challenging position regarding the necessity of enforcing these resolutions, supporting directives and initiatives to end the conflict in Gaza, and addressing settlement breaches in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, stated Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Media and Communication Sector at the Arab League, Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi.
According to Qatar News Agency, Khattabi emphasized the need to invigorate efforts toward a lasting resolution of the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution, which has garnered substantial global backing. This solution aims to enable the Palestinian people to live in dignity within a cohesive state that enjoys freedom, sovereignty, and independence.
Khattabi criticized the UN Security Council’s inability to halt the Israeli aggression against Gaza since October 2023, highlighting this as a prime example of the structural dysfunction within the international system. Despite the dire humanitarian situation reaching intolerable levels, the council remains incapacitated.
Khattabi further highlighted the destruction of essential elements in Gaza, including medical, educational, and media facilities. He described the situation as a major setback, with acts of violence, killings, intimidation, and the forced displacement of thousands of Palestinians to unknown locations.
Reflecting on the UN’s 80th anniversary since its founding post-WWII, Khattabi reminded signatory nations of their responsibility to prevent future generations from enduring war’s devastations. He stressed the importance of building a world characterized by peace and security, supported by cooperative efforts to tackle significant challenges.
He noted that despite decades of UN efforts, wars and crises persist globally, raising concerns about the UN’s credibility and capacity to fulfill its missions, particularly within the UNSC. As the body responsible for maintaining global peace and security, the UNSC holds the authority to make binding decisions under Chapter VII.