Statement by H.E. Mr. Nikulás P J Hannigan,
Deputy Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations
United Nations Security Council, 9841st Meeting
The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
24 January, 2025  

Mr. President,

Allow me first to thank you as President of the Council for convening this important debate. 
We wholeheartedly welcome the long-awaited ceasefire and are grateful to Egypt, Qatar and the US for their painstaking efforts.

Now, another difficult chapter begins, the full implementation of this ceasefire agreement. Iceland calls on all parties to uphold their commitments and on the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility in this regard.

Respect for international law, including international humanitarian law, must be maintained and where it is not, there must be accountability.

Mr. President, 

Iceland has repeatedly called for the freedom of all the hostages and welcomes the releases over the weekend. We urge the release of all the remaining hostages rapidly in compliance with phase two of the ceasefire agreement. Their appalling ordeal must be brought to an end.  

Iceland has also repeatedly called for immediate and unhindered humanitarian access in line with international humanitarian law. Reports of rapid rollout of aid to Gaza are very welcome. 

Gaza has been left in ruins. Most homes and businesses are destroyed. Livelihoods lost. Schools have been turned into emergency shelters and hospitals flattened. Reconstruction will be a mammoth task. We, the international community, have failed the people of Gaza for over a year, especially the children of Gaza. Those who have survived are losing their second school year in a row. We must not fail them again.

Under these circumstances, a total halt to the operations of UNRWA, the most centrally placed humanitarian organisation responding to the needs of Palestine refugees in the Middle East, would have devastating consequences. Israel must allow UNRWA to operate in the humanitarian phase and secure its involvement in a transitional process. Israel’s new law against UNRWA could further destabilise the situation in these areas, in Israel, and in the region, and fundamentally jeopardize the prospects for a two-state solution.

Mr. President,

A ceasefire is, by definition, a temporary situation, not a solution.

The people of Palestine and Israel deserve to live in peace and security, in prosperous and democratic societies. They deserve to live without fear of aggression or terrorist attacks.

We call on all parties to break out of the ongoing cycle of violence and work towards the only internationally recognized, long-term, sustainable solution available: A two-state solution, based on international law, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, and mutual recognition. 

Thank you.