S/PV.9691 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Israel to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs; and Major General Michael Beary, Chair of the Redeployment Coordination Committee and Head of the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Ms. DiCarlo. Ms. DiCarlo: I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to brief the Council regarding the recent developments in the Middle East region. On 19 July, an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) struck a residential building in the populated urban centre of Tel Aviv. One Israeli civilian was killed by shrapnel, and 10 Israeli civilians were injured and evacuated to hospitals. A fire broke out at the scene and damages were caused to buildings and vehicles by the strike’s impact. The Houthis in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, saying it was in retaliation for the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. They announced they had launched a new drone called Yafa and further declared that Tel Aviv would now be a primary target. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that its initial assessment identified the UAV as a modified Iranian Samad-3 drone launched from Yemen and that its forces had intercepted another UAV in the same time frame. The Secretary-General condemned the deadly attack. He remains deeply concerned about the risk such dangerous acts pose for further escalation in the region. Since then, however, we have witnessed additional exchanges, making the situation more precarious. On 20 July, Israel carried out multiple air strikes in and around Al-Hudaydah port in Yemen. The spokesperson of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) characterized the strikes as necessary and proportionate, against Houthi military targets, including Al-Hudaydah port, which Israel claimed was used by the Houthis as the main supply route for the transfer of Iranian weapons from Iran to Yemen. The IDF stated the strikes were in response to previous Houthi terror attacks on Israel over the past nine months, which have numbered more than 200 aerial attacks against Israeli civilians and infrastructure. The IDF further noted that it had operated alone and that this was the first time it struck Yemen. Defence Minister Gallant said in a separate statement that, “the fire that is currently burning in Al-Hudaydah is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear”. Meanwhile, the Houthi military spokesperson characterized the strikes as a brutal aggression against Yemen and said that the Houthis would respond to this blatant aggression and threatened to strike the vital targets of the Israeli enemy. A preliminary update from the Houthi de facto Ministry of Health indicates nine deaths, more than 80 casualties due to the strikes, as well as considerable damage to civilian infrastructure. There are no verified figures currently available, and it is not clear how many of the reported casualties are civilians. All United Nations personnel in Al-Hudaydah are safe and accounted for, and there was no damage to United Nations premises in Al-Hudaydah. The Council will hear shortly from Major General Beary, Head of the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement. Minor displacements have also been reported from neighbourhoods near the Al-Hudaydah port. The extent of damage to the port remains unclear, and fires are still burning. However, local authorities have advised that the port is functioning at a limited capacity. Al-Hudaydah port is a lifeline for millions of people in Yemen. Yemen relies heavily on imports of essential items such as food, medicine and fuel, with the majority of those goods arriving through Al-Hudaydah. It is essential for the port to be open and operating. Moreover, Al-Hudaydah port is in a densely populated urban centre where thousands of people live. Any military campaign in its vicinity risks having devastating consequences for civilians. The Secretary-General urged once again, on 20 July, for all concerned to avoid attacks that could harm civilians and damage civilian infrastructure. He remains deeply concerned about the risk of further escalation in the region and continues to urge all to exercise the utmost restraint. On 21 July, the IDF stated on social media that its Aerial Defense Array, using the Arrow 3 aerial defence system, successfully intercepted a surface-to-surface missile that approached Israeli territory from Yemen. The projectile did not cross into Israeli territory. We have also witnessed a deeply worrisome continuation of exchanges of fire across the Blue Line, which as we have stressed repeatedly, risks further regional conflagration. On 20 July, the Israel Defense Forces said that 40 rockets, as well as drones, were fired across the Blue Line, injuring two soldiers and igniting fires. Unconfirmed media reports in Lebanon said that the Israeli Defense Forces struck a Hizbullah munitions depot and a vehicle, with possible injuries and damage to civilian infrastructure. In addition, this morning the Council heard from the Special Envoy for Syria (see S/PV.9690) of the profound risk of regional escalation. Last week, Israel carried out strikes that the Syrian Government said hit military sites in southern Syria and a residential area in Damascus. Israel said that this was in response to the launch of two drones from Syria. Further strikes attributed to Israel over the past month were reported in Tartus, Damascus, rural Damascus and near the Lebanese border. In Yemen, the fragile gains resulting from the 2022 United Nations-brokered truce are being eclipsed by violent escalation in the region. The Houthis continue to launch attacks against commercial vehicles in the Red Sea, in contravention of resolutions 2722 (2024) and 2739 (2024). Verified incidents are reflected in the written reports of the Secretary-General, which are based on information received from the International Maritime Organization (IMO). As of today, the IMO has verified 42 Houthi attacks. The Houthis have also claimed several joint military operations with the so-called Islamic Resistance in Iraq, purportedly in support of the people in the Gaza Strip. The Islamic Resistance group is also believed to have launched a drone attack against a base in Iraq hosting personnel of the international counter-Da’esh coalition — the first such attack since February. At the same time, Israeli military operations have intensified across Gaza in recent weeks, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure. Palestinian armed groups in Gaza continued to launch rockets indiscriminately towards Israeli population centres. The latest developments show the real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. As the Secretary- General said on 21 June, the risk that the conflict in the Middle East could widen is real and must be avoided. One rash move — one miscalculation — could trigger a catastrophe that goes far beyond the borders and, frankly, beyond imagination. On Gaza, the Secretary- General has been very clear: we need an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and an unconditional release of hostages. And we need all the parties to recommit to a political horizon towards the two-State solution. As to the Blue Line, I echo the Secretary-General in calling on the parties to urgently recommit to the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and immediately return to a cessation of hostilities. Furthermore, allow me to reiterate the Secretary- General’s remarks that attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea area are not acceptable, as they endanger the safety and security of global supply chains and have a negative impact on the economic and humanitarian situation worldwide. Allow me to conclude with a few words on the issue of detained personnel in Yemen. We remain profoundly concerned about the well-being of Yemeni personnel from the United Nations, national and international non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions and civil society who are being arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities. We urge the de facto authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all of them. And we further request that they be treated with full respect for their human rights and that they be afforded the possibility to contact their families and legal representatives. The Secretary-General and other senior United Nations officials continue to work through all possible channels to secure the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained.

I thank Ms. DiCarlo for her briefing. I now give the floor to Major General Beary. Major General Beary: I thank you, Mr. President and the members of the Security Council, for the opportunity to brief the Council on the latest events in Al-Hudaydah. I am briefing today from Al-Hudaydah city, where the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) has its headquarters. Allow me to briefly recall the Mission’s responsibilities before turning to the latest events. Under the framework of the 2018 Stockholm Agreement and as mandated by the Council, most recently by resolution 2742 (2024), UNMHA supports the Yemeni parties in implementing their commitments under the Agreement, including the governorate-wide ceasefire in Al-Hudaydah. As part of its monitoring responsibilities, UNMHA regularly patrols the ports of Al-Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Issa, with a view to preserving the civilian nature of the ports; over 70 per cent of imports into Yemen come through those ports. Turning now to the latest events, on 20 July, at approximately 18.05 hours local time, UNMHA registered loud explosions lasting over 10 minutes. It was subsequently reported that multiple air strikes had targeted the port of Al-Hudaydah’s fuel storage and port cranes, two kilometres north of our UNMHA headquarters, as well as Ras Kathib power station, 20 kilometres from the headquarters, and Al-Kathib’s military police offices, 12 kilometres north-west of UNMHA headquarters. Soon thereafter, Israeli officials publicly confirmed carrying out air strikes in Al-Hudaydah, as members heard from Under-Secretary- General DiCarlo. The fire and thick smoke from the explosions at the port of Al-Hudaydah’s fuel storage are still ongoing and visible from UNMHA’s compound. Today, on 22 July, as part of its regular patrol schedule, UNMHA conducted a monitoring patrol to Al-Hudaydah port and observed the impact of the air strikes, including damaged fuel storage, damaged cranes, some ongoing firefighting activities and four vessels, docked or berthed in the port, including a World Food Programme vessel carrying foodstuffs to the bulk carrier Neptune J, which, fortunately sustained only minor damage from a falling crane. As I reported before to the Council, the Mission operates in a restrictive and highly challenging environment, with each movement subject to the authorization of the de facto authorities, including the patrol to Al-Hudaydah port today. The Council will appreciate the constraints that limit UNMHA’s full and unfettered access to the ports. I wish to echo the Secretary-General’s expression of deep concern about the risk of further escalation in the region. I join his call for all concerned to avoid attacks that could harm civilians and damage civilian infrastructure, and I urge all to exercise the utmost restraint. For our part, UNMHA will continue to operate in line with its Security Council mandate, which includes regular patrols to the ports of Al-Hudaydah, Ras Issa and Salif, and support de-escalation efforts in Al-Hudaydah, which will contribute to promoting peace across Yemen.

I thank Major General Beary for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements.

I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Major General Beary for briefing us today. We join other Council members in condemning the Houthis’ recent attacks on Israel, which killed one individual and injured several more. Those actions unequivocally demonstrate the growing threat to international peace and security posed by the Houthis and their backers in Tehran. And they are not isolated incidents. In recent months the Houthis have launched approximately 200 missiles and drones towards Israel, with no apparent regard for civilian lives. If that does not meet the textbook definition of a threat to international peace and security, I do not know what does. Nonetheless, some members of the Council have attempted to advance a false narrative that the Houthis are simply acting in solidarity with the people of Gaza through attacks such as those and their campaign of destructive attacks against commercial and merchant vessels in and around the Red Sea. The reality is straightforward: the Houthis are terrorists, desperate to distract from their own record of catastrophic failures in Yemen. And so the time has passed for making excuses for the Houthis. The only appropriate response is to condemn those attacks and demand that they stop, immediately and without conditions. In addition, the United States supports Israel’s right to self-defence in the face of those unprecedented attacks and rejects any efforts by members of the Council to protest that right. In view of the Houthis’ continued attacks and rejection of the Council’s resolutions, we also believe that it may soon be time for the Council to consider additional actions to respond to the growing threats from the Houthis. Equally crucial is addressing Iran’s role in those and other attacks and holding Iran to account. We can all see plainly and clearly that the Houthis have been fully enabled by Iran to launch long-range and deadly attacks on Israel and other countries in the region. Indeed, initial assessments indicate that the drone used in the 19 July attack on Tel Aviv was an Iranian-made Samad-3 uncrewed aerial vehicle. There is no disputing that Iran’s provision of those and other lethal weapons to Houthi terrorists violates the Council’s resolutions, including, most notably, the arms embargo established by resolution 2216 (2015). The Council can no longer ignore that fact and must also respond to Tehran for its flagrant violations of the Council’s resolutions and its arming of terrorist groups. And let me be clear  — any Council member that stands in that way of holding the Houthis and Iran accountable is complicit in undermining the credibility of the Council’s resolutions. Even as we call on the Council to hold the Houthis and their Iranian backers to account, we remain concerned for the well-being of the Yemeni people. The fires in the port of Hudaydah and the impacts that that destruction of oil refineries and power generation may have on the Yemeni people — potentially affecting the flow of humanitarian assistance and commercial imports — are but the latest example of how Yemenis are paying a price for Houthi and Iranian actions. As we will discuss in greater detail during Tuesday’s Council meeting, the Yemeni people are suffering principally because of Houthi recklessness and disregard for average Yemenis. At this dangerous moment, it is imperative that we all work to reduce tensions. The best way to do that is to ensure that the Council speaks with one voice to condemn the Houthis’ actions and hold them accountable. The United States remains committed to protecting civilians, resolving the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and seeking a path towards peace for the Yemeni people.

I thank Ms. DiCarlo and Major General Beary for their briefings. The Council is meeting urgently following the drone attack that targeted Tel Aviv on the night of 18 to 19 July. France strongly condemns that attack, which was claimed by the Houthis. We reaffirm our commitment to regional stability and Israel’s security. We send our condolences to the victim’s family and our thoughts to the injured. The Iranian-backed Houthis must immediately cease their attacks. Instead, they must commit themselves in good faith to the peace process led by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy. France calls on Iran, which finances and arms the Houthis, to cease its destabilizing actions. We deplore the fact that the Houthis are continuing their destabilizing actions in the Red Sea. In resolution 2722 (2024), the Council recalled that States have the right to defend their ships against such attacks. It called on the Houthis to put an end to those attacks and to immediately release the MV Galaxy Leader and its crew. That has yet to happen. The Council must continue to demand that it does. France will continue its involvement in the European Union’s Operation Aspides, which is defensive and non-escalatory, to guarantee maritime safety and the freedom of navigation. That escalation could lead to a regional conflagration. In the face of increasing tensions, France is working towards a prompt de-escalation, in conjunction with its partners. We are deeply concerned by the continuing clashes between Israel and Lebanon along the Blue Line. We call on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint in order to prevent a catastrophic conflict. We continue our efforts to find a diplomatic solution in Lebanon, on the basis of resolution 1701 (2006). We reiterate our full support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. France stresses that it is urgent to establish a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, at long last, in order to put an end to the suffering of the population and to allow aid to be delivered. We reiterate our demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. We reiterate our support for the ceasefire plan proposed by the United States and for the mediation efforts of Egypt and Qatar. We recall the need to comply with international humanitarian law, which is binding on all, including Israel. France reaffirms the urgency of implementing the two-State solution. Dame Barbara Woodward (United Kingdom): I thank Under-Secretary-General Di Carlo and Major General Beary for their briefings. The United Kingdom is deeply alarmed by the Houthi attack on Tel Aviv, which saw an Israeli civilian killed in his home and 10 other civilians wounded. My Foreign Secretary condemned that reckless escalation in his statement to the United Kingdom Parliament last week. We call for urgent de-escalation. Since 7 October, the Houthis have launched uncrewed aerial vehicles and missiles towards Israel, in dangerous and illegal attacks. Those actions risk a further deterioration in the stability and security of the region, and we call upon the Security Council to condemn the Houthi attacks against Israel, in addition to their wider destabilizing activity in the Red Sea. That includes the launching of more than 305 attacks against international shipping, impacting more than 100 ships and killing innocent crew. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of the MV Galaxy Leader and its crew, which have been illegally detained by the Houthis since November 2023. In addition, we must not lose sight of the fact that Houthi actions, enabled by support from Iran, are part of a wider Iranian strategy to destabilize the region with its malign influence and use of proxies. We call upon Iran to cease its nefarious support of armed groups and terrorist organizations in the Middle East, which serve only to increase the suffering of ordinary people. Finally, while we can confirm there was no United Kingdom involvement in the Israeli strikes against the Houthis on 20 July, the United Kingdom remains resolute in its support of Israel’s right to self-defence, in line with international law and international humanitarian law. The Houthis seek to use the situation in Gaza as justification for their reckless behaviour. Let me be clear: there is no justification for those attacks, and more broadly, there can be no military solution to the conflict in the Middle East. Yemenis are once again paying the price for the destructive actions of the Houthis, and further escalation will only worsen an already dire humanitarian situation. A diplomatic solution in the region is the only way forward. We strongly support the ongoing efforts of Egypt, Qatar and the United States to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza and to get the hostages out and humanitarian aid in. The deal, as endorsed by the Council in resolution 2735 (2024), is the best chance to secure lasting peace. Innocent Palestinians continue to face unfathomable human suffering in Gaza, with a devastating impact on women and children. At least 120 hostages remain in horrific conditions. We urge both sides to show flexibility in negotiations and to recommit themselves to a renewed peace process resulting in a two-State solution. I reiterate the call of the United Kingdom for de-escalation and for meaningful progress to bring about lasting peace and security for the region.

I would like to thank Under-Secretary General DiCarlo and Major General Beary for their briefings. I recognize the participation of the representative of Israel in this meeting. Let me be clear: Ecuador condemns in the strongest terms the drone attack perpetrated in Tel Aviv last Friday and claimed by the Houthis, and it demands the immediate cessation of further attacks. We also express our solidarity with the families of the victims. That is not the first Houthi attack against Israel and its population, but it is the first to cause civilian casualties. International humanitarian law strictly prohibits the indiscriminate bombing of civilian populations, without exception. Attacks against Israel contravene international law and are completely unjustifiable, as are the actions of the Houthis, who continue to resort to violence against commercial vessels in the Red Sea. That new escalation of hostilities in the region, provoked by the Houthis, could jeopardize international peace and security. My country therefore stresses the urgency of stopping the cycle of violence and joins the call of the Secretary-General and the international community for all actors to exercise maximum restraint and de-escalate tensions. They should also align their actions with international law and international humanitarian law, while observing the criteria of necessity, distinction, proportionality and precaution, since it is imperative at all times to protect civilian lives and safeguard critical infrastructure.

I thank Under- Secretary-General DiCarlo and Major General Beary for their briefings and recognize the presence of the representative of Israel in today’s meeting. Guyana is deeply concerned about the recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The Council must exert all efforts to avoid a wider regional conflagration. We share the Under-Secretary-General’s concern about the recent air strikes between the Houthis in Yemen and Israel, which claimed the lives of several persons. Guyana strongly condemns the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure and calls on the parties to desist from such attacks. We also echo the call of the Under-Secretary-General for the unconditional release of all United Nations and other humanitarian personnel detained in Yemen. The people in Yemen deserve to live in peace. We urge the Houthis to put the interests of the Yemeni people first and give full attention to the negotiations on the political road map. The worrisome developments over the past few days, coupled with the ongoing attacks in the Red Sea, are not occurring in a vacuum and risk further escalation which could envelop the entire Middle East region. While we condemn those attacks, we must also stress their direct connection with the ongoing war in Gaza, where impunity continues, and further stress that international law must be respected by all parties. We therefore stress again the need to achieve an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and call for that war to end, so that Palestinians can start rebuilding their lives. The war has already claimed the lives of nearly 40,000 people, mostly women and children, and maimed over 80,000. The Council must also redouble its efforts to address the root causes of the war. The only viable option remains the full implementation of the two-State solution with the creation of a free and independent State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, living peacefully alongside the State of Israel. That is the only path to sustainable peace. In conclusion, we urge those who claim to sympathize with the Palestinian cause to support ongoing efforts to end the war and to refrain from taking any further action that could derail the peace negotiations or expand the conflict.

I thank Under-Secretary- General DiCarlo and Major General Beary, Head of the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement, for their briefings. I must begin by expressing Japan’s strong condemnation of the drone attacks by the Houthis on Tel Aviv on Friday, which killed one Israeli civilian and wounded several others. We take note of Israel’s announcement that its air strikes in and around the Al-Hudaydah port the following day were a response to the Houthi attack on Tel Aviv, as well as to numerous previous Houthi attacks against Israel over the past months. The fact that the Houthis launched yet another ballistic missile on Sunday and indicated that they would take further actions is deeply worrisome, as it will lead to a vicious cycle of retaliation. Japan is seriously concerned about the current situation and calls for no further escalation. It has been more than nine months since the horrifying acts of terror committed by Hamas and other militant groups against Israel followed by the ongoing hostilities in Gaza. Japan stresses the need for de-escalation, and the Houthis must immediately stop their threats and hostile rhetoric against Israel, which are further destabilizing the Middle East. The Houthis must also immediately cease their reckless attacks on international shipping and unconditionally release the MV Galaxy Leader and its crew, consistent with resolutions 2722 (2024) and 2739 (2024). Let us furthermore take this opportunity to demand once again that the Houthis immediately and unconditionally release the personnel from the United Nations, diplomatic missions and non-governmental organizations whom they have arbitrarily detained. Moreover, Japan would like to reiterate that all Member States must adhere to their obligations regarding the targeted arms embargo in resolution 2216 (2015). We stand ready to work with fellow Council members and other regional stakeholders to restore peace and stability in the region.

I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Major General Beary, Head of the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement, for their briefings. The recent events raising tensions are indicative of the accelerating spillover effects of the Gaza conflict, which is a source of deep concern for China. Military means are not the way to resolve the issues, and responding to violence with violence will only lead the conflict into a vicious cycle of escalation and further complicate an already difficult situation. We call on all parties concerned to exercise calm and restraint to prevent tensions from further escalating or even spiralling out of control. For some time now, the situation in the Middle East has continued to worsen and the conflict has been expanding, the root cause of which is the failure to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. To avoid an even greater catastrophe which could engulf the entire Middle East, we call upon all parties to respond to the overwhelming consensus of the international community and work together to promote an immediate ceasefire, save lives, alleviate the catastrophe and contain the spillover of the conflict. China urges Israel to fully implement relevant Security Council resolutions, immediately cease all military operations in Gaza and immediately stop its collective punishment of the people of Gaza. Countries with significant influence should step up their efforts to persuade and bring pressure to bear on the parties concerned and make genuine efforts to end the fighting in Gaza. The issue of the Middle East is highly complex and sensitive, with the Palestinian question at its core. The fundamental way forward is the full realization of the two-State solution. We are concerned about Israel’s continuous erosion of the foundation of the two-State solution. Recently, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion on the Legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, finding that Israel’s continued occupation of Palestine violates international law and Israel has the obligation to immediately put an end to its illegal occupation of the Palestinian territory. China supports the early establishment of an independent State of Palestine, calls for the revitalization of the political horizon of the two-State solution and advocates the convening of a larger, more authoritative and more effective international peace conference to formulate a timetable and a road map for the implementation of the two-State solution. We expect the international community, guided by the Court’s advisory opinion, to make unremitting efforts to promote an early settlement of the question of Palestine and the realization of lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.

I also want to thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Major General Michael Beary for their briefings. Once again, we have to begin by expressing our concern about the most recent developments in the Middle East. Let me make three points in that regard. First, we condemn the drone attack on Tel Aviv, the responsibility for which has been claimed by the Houthis, and we deplore the subsequent Israeli retaliatory actions on targets in Yemen. We call on all parties to respect international law, including international humanitarian law. We recall that under international law, indiscriminate attacks on civilian population centres are prohibited. Secondly, tensions need to be reduced now. In that regard, we call on the parties to de-escalate and refrain from any further retaliatory actions. We also call on States with influence to use it to facilitate the utmost restraint from all actors and to prevent any further deterioration on the ground. Thirdly, we would like to express our deep concern about the numerous escalations fuelling regional tensions. The devastating situation in Gaza has caused unprecedented civilian suffering. Any military escalation in Yemen is also a serious cause for concern. We are also deeply worried about the alarming tensions along the Blue Line, as well as continuous attacks in the Red Sea. We caution that any miscalculation could lead to unimaginable consequences across the region, particularly for civilians. Every provocation and escalation further aggravates the situation in the Middle East. Day after day we are witnessing what seems to be never-ending human suffering. Women, children, fathers, families and friends being killed. And day after day, the question remains — How is this possible? How is this human? Peace must always come first. It must always have a chance. Therefore, instead of deepening this spiral of violence and intertwining crises, we call on all actors to engage in the path of dialogue and diplomacy. We also underline the need for Security Council unity in our efforts to uphold international law and to maintain peace and security.

We thank the Russian presidency for convening this urgent meeting on the situation in the Middle East. We also thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Major General Michael Beary for their comprehensive briefings. On 19 July, the Houthi armed group carried out an air strike against Israel, resulting in a deadly uncrewed aerial vehicle strike. This attack on Tel Aviv tragically claimed the life of one civilian and caused injuries to several others. In response, on 20 July, Israeli armed forces launched air strikes on military targets in the Houthi-controlled Al-Hudaydah port area of Yemen, reportedly resulting in at least nine fatalities. We express our deep concern that these events have the potential to exacerbate tensions between Israel and its neighbours, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Such actions risk aggravating regional instability and could trigger further conflicts, with far- reaching negative impacts on regional and international peace and security. We condemn the Houthi attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli air strike in Yemen. We firmly believe that such actions further escalate the conflict in the Middle East and hinder progress towards regional stability. We call on both parties to exercise maximum restraint in order to avoid further loss of life and destruction. These attacks and counter-attacks can only deepen the conflict and undermine ongoing efforts to halt the war in Gaza and promote peace. The Council has repeatedly warned of the risk of the Israel-Palestine conflict spreading across the region and of its consequences. We reiterate our call for the international community to redouble efforts to avoid the escalation of the conflict across the entire region. The recent events underscore the urgent need to address the Palestinian question as part of broader efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. We call for an immediate ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in compliance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, for the sake of greater regional stability. The reported casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure in Al-Hudaydah are deeply concerning. The port of Al-Hudaydah, a critical point for humanitarian aid delivery, must remain accessible in order to support the needs of the Yemeni people. We underscore the necessity of ensuring humanitarian access to all affected areas. Mozambique calls for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities and encourages all parties to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully. International efforts should focus on facilitating negotiations and finding a lasting resolution to the conflict. We reiterate our consistent appeal to Council members to intensify efforts towards a sustainable solution to the Middle East conflict, with the primary focus on Israel and Palestine. In that context, we reaffirm the critical importance of the implementation of a two-State solution  — the establishment of two independent and sovereign States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, both as full members of the United Nations.

At the outset, I would like to express my gratitude to Under- Secretary-General DiCarlo and Major General Beary, Head of the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement, for their informative updates. I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Israel. First and foremost, the Republic of Korea condemns, in the strongest terms, the Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv, which killed an innocent civilian and caused several injuries. This reckless behaviour is deeply concerning, especially given the ongoing Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, which pose significant challenges not only to regional security, but to global commerce as well. As such, we echo the Secretary-General’s apprehension that such dangerous acts can further inflame escalation in the region. We also take note of Israel’s air strikes on the Al-Hudaydah port, which reportedly caused dozens of civilian casualties, in response to the Houthi attack. In that regard, we urge all parties to heed the words of the Secretary-General  — to refrain from any actions that endanger civilian lives or damage civilian infrastructure. We also emphasize the great importance of keeping the Al-Hudaydah port both operational and stable, as it serves as the key gateway for the majority of commercial and humanitarian goods entering Yemen, thereby mitigating the hardship of the long-suffering Yemeni people. It is dismaying that the Houthis persist in choosing the wrong path by continuing attacks on commercial ships and holding hostages, including personnel from the United Nations, international and national non-governmental organizations and diplomatic personnel. These unlawful actions are simply unacceptable and cannot be justified for any reason. This recent deadly Houthi attack on Tel Aviv, using a so-called new type of uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) that flew over 2,000 kilometres, illustrates the need for a more effective implementation of United Nations sanctions, in particular the arms embargo established by resolution 2216 (2015). As the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014), concerning Yemen, we are alarmed that the 2023 final report by the Panel of Experts (S/2023/833) highlighted large-scale violations involving advanced weapons, such as ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles and UAVs. In that connection, it is believed that there has recently been an unprecedented scale of both maritime and land-based arms embargo violations. We reiterate our call for all United Nations Member States, including neighbouring countries, to faithfully implement the targeted arms embargo. We also hope that all Council members will engage in constructive discussions based on the Panel’s findings and recommendations so as to ensure that the Security Council decisions are carried out. These efforts should include establishing ways to patch the loophole in the sanctions regime and enhance the capacity of the Government of Yemen to enforce the arms embargo. Furthermore, we underline the crucial role of United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM) in ensuring compliance with the arms embargo and facilitating the delivery of commercial and humanitarian goods to northern Yemen. In that regard, we express serious concerns about the recent increase in vessels entering the Al-Hudaydah port uninspected by UNVIM. Alongside nearly 10 months of the Gaza conflict, heightened exchanges of fire between Israel and Hizbullah across the Blue Line and other dangerous conflicts in the region, any additional escalation or miscalculation could push the already precarious regional security landscape even further towards the abyss. As such, we appeal to all parties involved, both State and non-State actors, to exercise the utmost restraint in the critical days and weeks ahead.

I thank Ms. DiCarlo and Major General Beary for their briefings, From the beginning of the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, Algeria, along with others, has warned of the risk of the destabilization of the whole region. We also emphasized that during the negotiations on resolutions 2722 (2024) and 2739 (2024), on maritime security in the Red Sea. Algeria expresses its deep concern regarding the ongoing Israeli military operations and air strikes targeting various sites in Al-Hudaydah governorate. Every day we count more and more victims among civilians, children and women. The toll in human suffering is compounded by the regrettable destruction of critical infrastructure. The use of force will only complicate the situation and risk undermining the efforts of the Special Envoy for Yemen to relaunch the political process. We urge all parties to exercise restraint at this critical juncture to avoid further escalation. The situation demands immediate attention and diligent action to address the root causes of the conflict in the region, Today we warn not of a regional spillover, because we are already facing a regional conflict. We warn of further escalation. The need for a ceasefire in Gaza has never been more urgent. A ceasefire in Gaza remains the key to stability in the Middle East. The Palestinian people daily face a humanitarian catastrophe under a cruel occupation. That dire situation requires special attention by the Security Council. There is an urgent need to call for a meeting to debate the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Algeria believes that the immediate priority is to halt the genocide in Gaza and ultimately end the occupation of Arab lands. We must impose peace now. That is the only path to peace and stability in the Middle East.

I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Major General Beary, Head of the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement, for their briefings. Switzerland is deeply concerned about the developments of recent days. We condemn the drone attack claimed by the Houthis against Tel Aviv on Friday, 19 July. One person died as a result of that attack, while a dozen others were injured. We deplore the strike on Al-Hudaydah carried out by the Israeli army in response to the attack. It caused the deaths of several people, wounded nearly 80 others and caused considerable damage to civilian infrastructure. The humanitarian impact of those strikes is considerable. The port of Al-Hudaydah remains an essential crossing point for the transport of oil and energy for the country, as well as food and medicines for those in need. We reiterate that any military operation must respect international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and international humanitarian law. We also extend our condolences to the families of all the victims, both in Israel and Yemen. Every attack in the region, including the latest missile attacks against Eilat, bring us closer to an even more serious regional escalation, a risk we have a responsibility to mitigate. As such, we reiterate our call made at this year’s first Council meeting (see S/PV.9525) on the situation in the Red Sea. The Council must remain united and fulfil its mandate in accordance with international law. All actors in the region must exercise caution and the utmost restraint and at all times respect international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and international humanitarian law. Those strikes are taking place against a particularly tense backdrop. The situation in the Middle East and its regional repercussions, including in the Red Sea, pose the risk of escalation in Yemen and the region. The situation in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as rising tensions along the Blue Line, remain alarming. Only political solutions can bring peace and security to the entire region. A ceasefire in Gaza and an end to attacks by armed groups in the region are urgently needed. Security Council resolutions must be implemented immediately. The same applies to Yemen. The measures taken by the Council to promote a resolution of the conflict in Yemen through dialogue, in particular the arms embargo established by resolution 2216 (2015), must be strictly respected. We are deeply concerned by the events of the past few days. Respect for international law, dialogue between the parties to the conflict and de-escalation must be our priorities. Switzerland supports the efforts of the United Nations to that end.

I also thank Under- Secretary-General DiCarlo and Major General Beary for their briefings. The war in Gaza is having a devastating impact in the Middle East, and the risk of its turning into a wider conflict is greater than ever before. The Council must focus on prioritizing de-escalation and restraint as a pathway out of this bleak and extremely volatile period. There is no more time to lose. We must act in a decisive manner to ensure the full implementation of resolutions 2712 (2023), 2720 (2023) and 2735 (2024). Most important, Hamas and Israel must accept and implement the ceasefire proposal outlined in resolution 2735 (2024). Recent developments illustrate that in the clearest way possible. We condemn the Houthi-claimed drone attack on Tel Aviv on 19 July. We call on the Houthis to immediately cease all attacks in the region. The indiscriminate shelling of civilian populations centres is prohibited under international law. That is binding on all actors. Furthermore, we call on the Houthis to cease their actions against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Those attacks disrupt mediation efforts and hamper progress towards a political solution to the conflict in Yemen. The retaliatory air strikes by Israel in and around the port of Al-Hudaydah left many victims and casualties, while causing considerable damage to civilian infrastructure. That is of concern. We once again underscore that all parties are obliged to protect civilians under international law. We call on all Member States in the region and those with influence over the parties to facilitate and encourage de-escalation towards a peaceful solution. We emphasize that all Member States must strictly abide by Security Council resolutions, including full compliance with the United Nations arms embargo. In conclusion, we reiterate our call on all parties to exercise restraint, to de-escalate and to pursue peaceful solutions to all disputes. That is the only way forward. There is no alternative route if we are to prevent the flames of war from engulfing the entire region.

I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting at the request of the United States, the United Kingdom and France. We also thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Major General Michael Beary for the valuable information provided. At the outset, Sierra Leone notes with serious concern the information contained in the identical letter dated 19 July 2024 from the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council, on the launching of a Samad-3 one-way uncrewed aerial vehicle by the Houthis from Yemen, which hit a civilian target in Tel Aviv and led to the death of an Israeli civilian and injured about 10 persons. Sierra Leone condemns that act in the strongest terms, which violates the Charter of the United Nations and the fundamental principle of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States. We further note the report of Israel’s retaliatory strike on Al-Hudaydah port in Yemen, with casualties reported. We note with concern that that action may lead to an escalation in the cycle of violent attacks between the parties and an exacerbation of tensions in an already volatile region, with dire security and humanitarian consequences for civilians. As the Middle East grapples with an extended conflict in the Gaza Strip, we reject further attacks, which may gravely impact civilians and threaten global peace and security. We are deeply concerned that heightened tensions may jeopardize the already delicate negotiations between Israel and Hamas. For that reason and many more, Sierra Leone urges the Houthis and other armed groups to desist from capitalizing on the fragility of the region to perpetuate their wrongful and escalatory actions. We remain particularly concerned by the Houthis’ activities in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden targeting commercial and military vessels, all of which undermine the freedom of navigation in international waters and risk wider regional confrontation. Given the recurring nature of the attacks and conflict in the Middle East over the past nine months, including in the Gaza Strip, across the Blue Line in Lebanon, the Red Sea and elsewhere, it is imperative for the de-escalation of tensions to be the utmost priority of the conflicting parties. On the basis of the dangerous escalation, Sierra Leone would like to convey the following. First, we call on the Houthis to respect and implement all resolutions of the Security Council, including resolution 2216 (2015), which demands, inter alia, that the Houthis refrain from any provocation or threats to neighbouring States, and resolution 2722 (2024), which demands that the Houthis immediately cease all attacks, which undermine navigational rights and freedoms as well as regional peace and security. Secondly, we stress the need for parties to the conflict to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation, and we demand their utmost respect for applicable international law. We call on them to prioritize the protection of civilians in line with international humanitarian law, while noting that they bear the brunt of conflict. Damage to the Al-Hudaydah port, which is vital for the importation of humanitarian supplies such as food, medicine and fuel into Yemen, will have catastrophic implications for the suffering civilian population of Yemen. The reported and claimed acts of the Houthis are a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. They cannot be justified. With that noted, Sierra Leone also notes that the unresolved Palestinian question is a major obstacle to peace and stability in the Middle East. Accordingly, it is worth repeating the need for parties to the conflict to respect the clear demands of the Security Council and to fully implement resolutions 2712 (2023), 2720 (2023), 2728 (2024) and 2735 (2024). Resolution 2735 (2024) was adopted to ensure a deal were agreed that could constitute a major step forward in achieving a ceasefire, the release of hostages and improved humanitarian coordination and safety for the mutual benefit of both parties. In that regard, Sierra Leone welcomes the clarity and moral authority that was provided by the International Court of Justice in its advisory opinion of 19 July 2024 on Legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. As we continue to study the advisory opinion and its implications for the parties, the State of Palestine and the occupying Power — the State of Israel — erga omnes obligations of third States and international organizations, including the United Nations, it is now clear that the two-State solution is the only path to be pursued. That can be kickstarted with a permanent ceasefire to be agreed by Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as the General Assembly and the Security Council work out the modalities to implement the findings of the International Court of Justice — that Israel’s occupation and annexation of Palestinian territory is unlawful and that it should therefore end its occupation of Palestinian territories as soon as possible. The ongoing negotiations must be informed of that authoritative interpretation of existing and binding customary international law by the Court. In conclusion, States with influence and regional actors are once again urged to apply the necessary pressure on the parties to the conflict to implement Security Council resolutions and genuinely support all efforts towards a comprehensive and inclusive solution that addresses the root causes of the instability in the Israel-Palestine conflict and the wider Middle East region.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the Russian Federation. We thank Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary- General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding, and Major General Michael Beary, Head of the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), for their reports. The formal reason for convening today’s Security Council meeting by a number of its Western members was the 19 July uncrewed aerial vehicle strike in the centre of the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. As a result of the attack one person died and several others were injured. The Yemeni movement Ansar Allah claimed responsibility for the attack. Russia of course condemns any attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. We express our condolences to the family of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery. However, we cannot but remind our Council colleagues who insisted on holding this meeting that drones, missiles and other weapons are launched towards Israel by opponents of its action in Gaza almost every day, as evidenced by West Jerusalem’s letter to the Security Council regarding the incident. Most of them have been intercepted, but not the one launched on 19 July, when that tragic incident occurred. In no way are we downplaying the sensitivity of the incident for Tel Aviv, but let us not forget that less than 100 kilometres south the escalation is on a completely different level. It has been almost 10 months since Israel’s bloody operation in the Gaza Strip started. Over that period, it has already claimed the lives of 39,000 innocent Gazans. Since 7 October, despite the unambiguous position of the entire international community and decisions by international bodies, including the Security Council and the International Court of Justice, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has continued its brutal clean-up of the enclave, which is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. In the past 24 hours alone, 37 Palestinians were killed and 57 were injured in Gaza. The enclave literally lies in ruins: homes, schools and hospitals have been destroyed. The civilian infrastructure has barely a single stone left standing. We will convene a Security Council meeting on Friday on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The number of casualties among United Nations humanitarian personnel and non-governmental organizations is already approaching 300. That is the biggest single loss for the United Nations in modern history. Yet Israel, clearly indulged by Washington, continues to ignore all Security Council resolutions and all peace initiatives, including the notorious Biden plan, which exists only on paper. I feel obliged to ask those who insisted on today’s meeting: Where were they a week ago when the Israeli air force launched a heaviest strike on the Al-Mawasi region near Khan Younis? Or the day before yesterday when Israel hit the Bureij and Nuseirat refugee camps, killing 13 people, including a child? Why did they not sound the alarm and call for an emergency Council meeting then? Those areas were designated by the Israeli military itself as humanitarian zones where refugees were allowed to shelter. Just look at the figures: more than 100 dead, about 300 injured. How powerful could have been the strike to cause such damage? How many drones like the one that reached Tel Aviv would have been needed to do that? Do they see no problem with that? Once again, one can only marvel at the selective blindness and double standards of our Council colleagues. By indulging Israel’s actions, they cannot but become abettors in an extremely dangerous escalation that is increasingly spreading over the entire region. For example, Israel immediately responded to the attack by a Houthi drone in its traditional way, namely, by attacking the Yemeni port of Al-Hudaydah with American F-15 fighter jets. The air strikes killed three people, injured 87 and destroyed an oil terminal and power plant near the Red Sea coast. All that happened in a civilian port where, according to UNMHA reports, there has been no military activity for a long time. It is the port through which the lion’s share of commercial and, most important, humanitarian cargo goes through to sustain the country, where the humanitarian disaster has not abated for many years now. We can imagine how many more people will be indirectly impacted by the IDF’s new extremely dangerous adventure if we remember that Yemen has more than 21 million inhabitants and that two thirds of the country’s population is still in need of some form of humanitarian aid and protection. We reiterate that force will achieve nothing but a further escalation of violence in the region. After all, the motives of the Ansar Allah leadership are no secret: they explicitly link the cessation of their actions to ending the Israeli slaughter in Gaza. In that regard, by the way, the demands of the Houthis, no matter how one treats them, coincide with those of the Security Council. The movement has long been accustomed to the “language of force”. The six-month-long bombardment of Yemeni territory by the so-called “coalition” led by the United States and Britain has not yielded any result, and the Houthis still have significant military capacities. Israel’s intention to escalate the situation with the Houthis will only stir them up, and now we risk another bitter conflict. The way out of this crisis is fairly clear to all of us: there must be an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the release of all hostages and arbitrarily detained Palestinians. We, most of our Council colleagues and almost the entire international community, have been repeatedly saying that. Stopping the violence in Gaza will bring alleviation to the whole region. That also applies to the instability in the Red Sea. I would like to believe that the Western members of the Council will be able to explain that simple logic to their Israeli counterparts. I resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of Israel.

Allow me first to thank the United States, Britain and France for convening this special meeting, as well as our briefers here today. Since the beginning of the current war in Gaza, Israel has had to fight to defend itself, not only on one front but on seven fronts. Attacks on Israel have been launched by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, Hizbullah in Lebanon, Shiite militias from Iraq and Syria, the Houthis from Lebanon and by Iran directly. All seven fronts have one thing in common. They were activated by a mastermind in Tehran who financed, trained and armed its proxies to fight the Jewish State. In the north, we face the terror army of Hizbullah, which has been built up by Iran since 1979 and today possesses more than 150,000 rockets. Since 7 October, Hizbullah has launched more than 6,500 rockets, 1,100 anti-tank missiles and more than 250 explosive drones on the people of northern Israel. In the south, we face attacks launched by the Houthis, whose military arsenal grew in the past years thanks to the weapons and training provided by Iran and Hizbullah. Thus the little brother of Hizbullah tried to overshadow the big brother and in the past few years has targeted many countries in the Middle East. We still remember its attacks on Abu Dhabi with explosive drones and the thousands of ballistic missiles it shot at Saudi Arabia. In the past few months, the Iranians directed their newest proxy, the Houthis, to increase terror activity and to obstruct shipping in the Red Sea and launch attacks against Israel. Since the beginning of the Gaza war, the Houthis have launched more than 220 ballistic missiles and explosive drones at Israel. In the early morning on Friday, as already stated here in the Council, and explosive drone launched by the Houthis from Yemen hit Tel Aviv, killing a civilian — 50- year-old Yevgeny Ferder  — and injuring 10 additional Israeli citizens. It hit a building just 100 yards from the United States Consulate in Tel Aviv. The drone that was used in the attack was a Samad-3 uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), an Iranian weapon that was upgraded to extend its flight range. The UAV was in the air for over nine hours and flew over 2,000 kilometres. Please calculate what that range means to States and countries in the region and beyond. Think what that means if the Houthis are not stopped now. Israel decided to react under its inherent right to self-defence under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. From the beginning of the war, which began after the brutal Hamas attack of 7 October 2023 on Israeli civilians, the Government made it clear: Israel will act against all those who attack us. Israel has no conflict with Yemen or its people. It is clear that the Houthis are acting on behalf of, and in the name of, radical Iranian ideology. They prove it with their symbols, statements and actions. The Houthi flag is emblazoned with phrases in Arabic in red: Death to America, Death to Israel and Curse the Jews. That reflects their priorities and values. They have proved it with attacks on Israel and international shipping. Let me very clear: the port of Al-Hudaydah is not an innocuous port. It is being used for terrorist purposes and is therefore a legitimate military target. The port of Al-Hudaydah receives arms shipments directly from Iran, including the UAV that was fired at Tel Aviv. They are in fact pieces of Iranian military equipment that are assembled and used by the Houthis. The Houthis cannot cynically expect immunity for a port supplying their needs, as they use it for military purposes. In terms of international shipping, the Houthis have closed the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, thereby significantly lengthening global shipping trade routes with their threats and attacks. In recent weeks, they attacked a vessel in the Mediterranean Sea as well. No one in this Chamber is immune from the effects of those attacks. Over 30 per cent of international trade has been affected. Houthi militants have threatened or taken hostage mariners from over 20 different countries. I wish to thank the United States, Britain, France and other members of the Prosperity Guardian international maritime coalition, which was established to repel the Houthi attacks. I wish to restate and clarify that Houthi terrorism is part of the regional terrorist array operated by Iran, along with other proxies such as Hamas and Hizbullah. Iran is the head of the snake. It arms, trains and finances the Houthis. The international community must increase the pressure on Iran and impose more crippling sanctions on Tehran. Iran must be stopped, as it continues to endanger the stability of the Middle East and the entire world. Israel will continue to protect its citizens against any threat, near and far. The attack by the Houthis, a proxy of Iran, crossed all red lines and, after more than half a year of restraint in the face of the Houthi attacks, Israel was forced to strike in Yemen. The Houthis are a focal point for destabilizing the region and the international arena. The Houthis recently started developing their activities in Iraq through cooperation with pro-Iranian Shiite militants. The repeated attacks by the Houthis on Israel and on ships in the Red Sea with weapons supplied to them by Iran constitute a violation of Security Council resolutions. This very Council imposed sanctions on the Houthis, including travel bans and assets freezes, in resolution 2140 (2014), and a weapons embargo, in resolution 2216 (2015). Those steps are welcome, but insufficient, as we can so evidently see. The Council must do more. Israel calls on the Security Council, first, to increase sanctions against Iran, and secondly, to improve the enforcement of the existing sanctions against the Houthis and its leaders and take the necessary preventive steps against Houthi targets. It should clearly designate the Houthis as a terrorist organization, as those who initiated the conflict. The Security Council must issue a harsh condemnation of the Houthis in the upcoming discussions on Yemen at the Security Council. It must condemn the destabilizing activities of the Houthis and support Israel’s right to defend its territory and cities. In defending ourselves against the Iranian terror axis, Israel stands on the front lines against the regime that threatens the entire Middle East and threatens the entire world. That is why all those who seek a more secure and stable Middle East should fully support Israel’s actions against the terror axis — in Yemen, in Gaza, in Lebanon and elsewhere. To our enemies: do not doubt Israel’s determination to defend itself.