At the United Nations Security Council, Algeria’s Permanent Representative Ammar Benjamia warned that the situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic proportions, demanding immediate international intervention. He stressed that the killing, displacement and starvation of civilians make an unconditional ceasefire a pressing humanitarian necessity, warning that prolonging the war only deepens the tragedy and endangers millions of lives.

Benjamia described scenes emerging from Gaza as evidence of an “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe,” where children and women are forced to survive without the most basic essentials of life. He urged the Security Council to shoulder its legal and moral responsibilities and take concrete measures to end what he called “the greatest humanitarian disaster the world is witnessing today.”

In a joint statement issued by all Security Council members except the United States, deep concern was expressed over famine in Gaza, with Israel called upon to immediately reverse its decision to expand military operations. The statement underlined that famine must be stopped without delay and that the use of starvation as a weapon of war is prohibited under international law.

The Council members highlighted that more than 41,000 children in Gaza are at risk of dying from malnutrition, and demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, as well as the urgent release of all prisoners.