By Muhammad Ayub
The Gaza crisis remains a focal point, prompting the Security Council to hold a high-level meeting on the war-torn region. While world leaders presented their national statements in the General Assembly Hall, delegates at the UN’s Midtown East campus engaged in discussions about cultural harmony and concluded the annual UNGA treaty event. This gathering saw numerous signatures and ratifications for a year-old treaty, commonly referred to as BBNJ, which seeks to safeguard biodiversity in ocean areas beyond national control.
At the Security Council, Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the “horrific acts of terror” committed by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups nearly a year ago. However, since October 7, 2023, relentless Israeli bombardments and ongoing hostilities have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza. “Let’s be clear: violations by one side cannot justify violations by the other,” he stated. Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that the unprecedented death and destruction in Gaza could plunge the entire region into chaos. He also noted that earlier in the day, Israeli Defense Forces targeted civilian buildings in Beirut, claiming to have struck Hezbollah’s main headquarters located beneath them.
During the General Assembly, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he had come to New York to “set the record straight” in response to what he described as “lies” directed at Israel by other leaders. “Israel yearns for peace,” he asserted, emphasizing that the country has a history of making peace and will do so again. Characterizing the situation as “a battle of good against evil,” Netanyahu insisted that there should be no ambiguity in this fight. He declared, “The real war criminals are not in Israel; they are in Iran, Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. Those of you who support these war criminals and stand with evil against good should be ashamed.”
