Mr. President,

We extend our gratitude to France for convening this crucial meeting, and to Secretary-General Guterres for his insightful briefing. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Mr. President,

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has entered its most severe phase in decades, causing unprecedented human loss, hindering the pursuit of a two-State solution, obstructing the application of international law, and the foundational values of the United Nations Charter.

We gather today amid a grave and escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel’s violation of the ceasefire agreement. The relentless Israeli military operations have resulted in a devastating toll on civilians: thousands of lives lost, entire neighbourhoods are reduced to rubble, and vital infrastructure is decimated.

This includes Israel's destruction of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, which was built by Türkiye and operated by local authorities as a cancer treatment facility.

The flow of aid including food, water, medicine, and fuel remains obstructed and dangerously insufficient. Attacks on UNRWA schools, health clinics, and refugee camps persist.

Mr. President,

Equally alarming is the developments in the wider region.

In the West Bank, in blatant disregard of Security Council Resolution 2234, Israel continues the expansion of illegal settlements, the perpetration of settler violence, forced displacement, and actions aimed at undermining the status of Jerusalem. We reiterate our firm rejection of any efforts to displace or expel the Palestinian people from Gaza, the West Bank, or East Jerusalem.

In Syria, Israel continues with its air and land strikes, and incursions into Syrian territory in contradiction with the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement.

In Lebanon, Israel's escalating military presence and continued attacks violate the ceasefire between the two countries and the Security Council Resolution 1701.

We strongly condemn these flagrant violations of international law which threaten regional stability.

Mr. President,

The international community must no longer remain idle in the face of Israel’s provocations and violations.

We therefore call for:

First, an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza in line with UN resolutions and the full implementation of the agreement on the ceasefire and release of hostages and detainees that went into effect on January 19th as brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States.

Second, unhindered humanitarian access in line with international law and the obligations of all parties under the Geneva Conventions, and ICJ provisional measures. No food has entered Gaza for nearly two months as all main border points remain closed. World Food Programme has announced that its food stocks in Gaza have been depleted. UN agencies and the Secretary General have repeatedly appealed for humanitarian access.

The United Nations, particularly UNRWA, must be at the forefront of these efforts. We categorically reject Knesset’s decision to ban UNRWA. It is our collective political, legal, humanitarian, and moral duty as the international community to support UNRWA until a two-state solution is achieved.

Third, support for the reconstruction plan initiated by Egypt, in coordination with the Palestinian government, and adopted by the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. We welcome the support already extended by international partners and encourage further assistance for this critical initiative.

Fourth, a renewed commitment to the two-state solution. As underlined once again at the Antalya Ministerial Meeting for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution and Lasting Peace in the Middle East, on 11 April 2025, the international community must maintain the momentum in the realization of this common goal. Wider international recognition of Palestine and its admission to the UN as a full member are vital steps to that end. We trust that “the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State solution” to be convened in New York on 17-20 June and co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France will be instrumental in urgently mobilizing the necessary efforts and resources to achieve this goal.

Finally, we appeal to this Council to act with urgency, unity, and the moral clarity demanded by this moment. History will harshly judge inaction. We call on the Security Council to utilize all available tools, including the enforcement of existing resolutions and the adoption of new ones, to address our calls.

Meanwhile, the international community must fulfil its responsibility by supporting a just and political resolution that ends the occupation, halts the ongoing violence in the region, and demands accountability for violations of international law.

Türkiye will continue to do its part.

Thank you.