In response to the escalating crisis in Gaza and Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). As the designated Arab representative to the Council, the UAE is seeking a binding resolution to implore Israel to accept a humanitarian pause in the ongoing hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
The request for the emergency meeting was made over the weekend in light of Israel’s declaration of “expanding ground operations” in Gaza. This move has raised alarm and concern over the safety and well-being of civilians in the region.
Shahad Matar, the UAE’s spokesperson at the United Nations, conveyed the urgency of the situation in a post shared on the platform X, emphasizing the need for immediate action. She stated, “UAE has requested an emergency UNSC meeting to be convened as soon as possible in light of Israel’s announcement that it is ‘expanding ground operations’ in Gaza.”
In its official statement requesting the UNSC meeting, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored the paramount importance of safeguarding civilians in strict adherence to international humanitarian law, international treaties protecting civilian populations, and fundamental human rights principles. The call to the UNSC emphasizes the critical need to prevent the targeting of innocent civilians during this escalating conflict.
Furthermore, the UAE’s Foreign Ministry publicly condemned the Israeli ground operations initiated in Gaza during the early hours of Saturday. The condemnation was accompanied by an expression of “deep concern over the Israeli military escalation,” underscoring the significance of immediate international intervention to address this pressing humanitarian crisis.
The convening of the UNSC is a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, signaling international concern for the lives and well-being of civilians caught in the midst of violence. The urgency and gravity of the situation in Gaza and Israel have compelled the UAE to take proactive steps towards finding a peaceful and humanitarian resolution. As the world watches and waits for the UNSC’s deliberations, the hope remains that a humanitarian pause can be achieved, allowing for the protection and safety of innocent lives in the region.
