UNSC debates serious escalation in Mideast

KABUL (Pajhwok): At an emergency meeting after the killing of the Hamas leader, the UN Security Council has called for concrete action to prevent the outbreak of an all-out war in the Middle East.

Iran’s Permanent Representative Amir Saeid Iravani denounced the “cowardly assassination by Israel” of Ismail Haniyeh in a strike on Tuesday morning.

The top Hamas political official was on an official visit to Tehran on invitation from the Iranian government to attend the inauguration of the new president.

In a statement from the UN, Iravani said: “This act of terror is another manifestation of Israel’s decades-long pattern of terrorism and sabotage targeting Palestinians and other supporters of the Palestinian cause across the region and beyond.”

He also accused Israel of pursuing political goals, aiming to disrupt the first day of Iran’s new government that prioritised peace and stability in the region.

The ambassador denounced the strike as a “horrible act” and the most serious violation of international law and the UN Charter. He underlined immediate and effective action by the Security Council.

Israeli Ambassador Brett Jonathan Miller lashed out at what he called “the rank hypocrisy on display here today”. He alleged the meeting was called by “the world’s number one sponsor of terrorism”.

Iran had used its proxies – Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah – to target Israel and its citizens from every direction, Miller claimed.

Syrian Permanent Representative Koussay Aldahhak said the Israeli occupying entity had committed a grave crime in Majdal Shams that led to the death of 12 children in Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

An occupying power could not claim that they were defending themselves under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the ambassador stressed.

Syria condemned Israeli aggression n the region, including the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and the killing of citizens in Lebanon.

“The war criminals in Israel would not be able to continue without support,” he said, calling on the UNSC to immediately put an end to these crimes and ensure accountability.

Lebanese Ambassador Hadi Hachem said his country and people “do not want war”, adding Beirut had presented a roadmap to ensure security and break the cycle of violence, but had not yet received a response.

An end to Israel’s occupation of Arab lands was essential if the region was to return to calm and stability, he said, underscoring the need for  good faith.

“History will spare no one; what starts in the Middle East will spread to the whole world,” he warned, asking the council to take a stand “before it is too late”.

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