Mr. President,

Thank you for organizing this meeting.

I also thank the briefers for their insights.

I would first like to express our deep appreciation to the UN agencies and their staff working selflessly on the ground in order to extend a helping hand to those in need. I pay tribute to the memory of more than 100 brave UN personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice in this honorable mission. May God bless their souls.

When the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit was held in Riyadh, our leaders strongly condemned Israeli aggression in Gaza, and called for an immediate ceasefire, as well as an end to practices of siege, collective punishment and forced displacement of people, while emphasizing the importance of unhindered, sustainable humanitarian access.

I join previous speakers in reiterating these common positions.

Mr. President,

Death, displacement, trauma, fear, and anxiety have taken on unprecedented dimensions in Gaza over the last six weeks. Mankind has not seen such human tragedy in recent history.

Neither civilians nor civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and refugee camps, are being spared in indiscriminate bombing. International human rights law and international humanitarian law are being trampled underfoot on a daily basis.

We cannot stay silent while this carnage continues to unfold before our eyes.

Priority must be given to the urgent humanitarian needs of the civilian population. They must have access to the essentials for survival, including food, water, fuel, shelter, hygiene, health and safety.

Mr. President,

Türkiye has been trying to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza since the start of the conflict.

We keep sending humanitarian aid to Egypt’s Al Arish Airport.

The Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza is unfortunately among the many hospitals that had to stop its operations under the heavy Israeli bombardment. We have transferred cancer patients at this hospital to Türkiye to continue their treatments.

Once again, I would like thank the brotherly Egypt for their tireless humanitarian efforts and cooperation.

Mr. President,

We welcome the adoption of the resolution on protection of children at the Security Council on Wednesday (15 November). However, the continued failure of the Security Council to stop the catastrophic tragedy in Gaza is inexcusable.

Surely, history will judge both the perpetrators and those who failed to take concrete action.

Mr. President,

What has transpired has once again showed that lasting peace and security in the Middle East can only be achieved through a political solution to the Palestinian question based on a two-state vision.

Thank you.