Statement by Sweden at the Resumed 10th Emergency Special Session, delivered by the Permanent Representative of Sweden, H.E. Anna Karin Eneström.
Mr. President,
Thank you. Sweden aligns itself with the statement of the European Union.
Thank you for convening this resumed 10th Emergency Special Session, as the situation is deeply alarming and risks implications for the whole region.
Sweden takes note of last week’s attempts at the Security Council to have a resolution addressing the situation in Gaza and Israel. It is deeply regrettable that the Security Council failed to address the increasingly alarming situation. We encourage the Council members to find a common position and fulfil the Councils mandate and responsibility.
Sweden abstained on the Resolution put forward last Friday. This was due to the lack of a condemnation of the abhorrent terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas as well as the lack of reference to Israel’s right to defend itself in line with international law and international humanitarian law. We reiterate the call of the EU on Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages. The use of human shields is unacceptable.
At the same time, we are concerned by the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. We strongly support the call in the resolution for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need. Sweden and the EU have underscored the importance of humanitarian assistance reaching Gaza, including through humanitarian corridors and humanitarian pauses.
Sweden reiterates the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all times in line with international humanitarian law and deplores all loss of civilian life. In particular we recall the need to protect children in armed conflict.
In response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Sweden has announced around 13 million USD in new humanitarian aid channelled through WFP, UNICEF, UNFPA and the ICRC. This is in addition to Sweden’s substantial core funding to humanitarian actors who have been responding on the ground since the start of the current crisis.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the UN and all its personnel for their relentless work on the ground, often at the risk of their lives, as well as the tireless efforts of the Secretary-General to deescalate the conflict. We deeply regret the deaths of UN personnel and express our condolences to their families.
I thank you, Mr. President.