In the morning, the UN Security Council met to discuss the latest developments in Gaza, focusing on the humanitarian situation and the implementation of UNSC resolution 2720. Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator (SHRC) for Gaza Sigrid Kaag briefed the Council. Slovenia stressed that in spite of four Security Council resolutions, the ICJ order, the 2720 mechanism, and numerous briefings and commitments, the humanitarian situation is not improving.

“The needs are on the rise and the humanitarian operational environment is collapsing. Diseases are spreading. Public order has crumbled. Criminal gangs are taking over. The social fabric is disintegrating. We have no right to be surprised,” stated Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the briefing.

The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, dated 25 June, indicates that nearly the entire population of the Gaza Strip, around 96 %, is facing acute food shortages. Ambassador Žbogar recalled that using starvation as a method of warfare is prohibited under international law and can amount to a war crime.

Slovenia also reiterated its call for the immediate release of all hostages and for granting unrestricted ICRC access to them. Holding them in Hamas tunnels for the past 9 months is simply inhumane, as emphasized by Ambassador Žbogar.

Noting that over 270 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza, Slovenia condemned attacks on UN personnel, humanitarian workers, premises and convoys. At the same time, Slovenia commended the work of Ms. Kaag and her team, believing that the start of the work of the 2720 mechanism can provide us an overview of the aid reaching and being distributed in Gaza.

In conclusion, Ambassador Žbogar stressed that the main ingredient for the success of the 2720 mechanism is regrettably missing – that is a ceasefire. He called on Security Council members to start reflecting on Gaza beyond a ceasefire, even if today this seems so far away.

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