Mr./Ms. President,

The level of violence we have witnessed on and after 7 October 2023 is extremely concerning.

And the violence continues until this day.

It needs to stop.

We call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and the unimpeded delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid to those in need.

Reaching a ceasefire is in the hands of both Israel, and Hamas.

Hamas should enable the ceasefire by releasing the hostages, taken after the heinous terrorist attack on October 7, immediately and unconditionally.

We call on all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under international law, in particular international humanitarian law.

We recall Security Council resolution 2417 on conflict and hunger.

In the Gaza Strip, child mortality is rising, civilians are killed while waiting for food and water, and humanitarian workers are under attack.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands strongly condemns the continuation of the blockade on aid and other essentials and calls upon Israel to immediately resume unhindered and safe access to the Gaza Strip for humanitarian aid and basic services, including food, medication, electricity and fuel.

We are shocked by recent reports concerning attacks on WHO staff and infrastructure in Gaza.

It bears repeating: there is no excuse for targeted violence against aid workers.

Israel has the continuing obligation to ensure that the local population has an adequate supply of foodstuffs, including water.

It is crucial that professional, mandated organizations, including the UN, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and their partners, can reach all people in need across the Gaza Strip and receive broad international support.

We urge Israel to also provide the necessary visa to ensure international staff, including UN senior humanitarian management, can do their work.

It is in no one's interest to attack, obstruct, or cast doubt on the essential work of the UN.

The Netherlands has, since the start of the conflict, contributed 82 million EUR to humanitarian assistance and we will continue to do so.

Likewise we have supported human rights monitoring efforts, including through OHCHR.

We welcome the agreement that the EU reached with Israel to ensure aid being delivered to the people in the whole Gaza Strip.

This is the first step; the agreement must be implemented urgently, continuously and according to humanitarian principles.

As stated, an immediate ceasefire is needed, leading towards a sustainable solution. In that light, also the situation on the West Bank should have our undivided attention, as the situation is dire.

Decisions by the Israeli cabinet to advance the E1 settlements undermine the territorial integrity of the West Bank. We condemn this and all other plans that are undermining the two state solution.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands will continue to strive for a lasting solution that has the support of both parties, for which the two-state solution remains the basis.

We welcome the conference organized by France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with exactly this goal: a two-state solution where Hamas has laid down their arms and does not play a role in the future of the Gaza Strip.

This future should entail an independent, viable Palestinian state existing alongside a secure Israel, where all are living in peace and prosperity.