Belmopan, October 1, 2024.
The Government of Belize is gravely concerned by the recent escalation of death and destruction spreading from the Palestinian territories of Gaza to the West Bank, and now to Lebanon. The increasing violence against civilians caused by the Israeli state, in particular, through the weaponising of civilian devices like pagers to cause the indiscriminate slaughter of civilians and the continued Israeli use of selective assassinations, threatens to ignite a full-scale conflagration of unimaginable consequences.
This cycle of violence is illegal, immoral and inhumane. It must stop. Israel must immediately abide by the decisions of the International Court of Justice, agree to an effective ceasefire, allow humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza unimpeded and lift the illegal siege of Gaza. There must also be an immediate, unconditional release of hostages held by the resistance groups and by the Israeli state.
The United Nations Security Council has a special responsibility to put their differences aside and, together with the international community, implement resolution 10/24 of the 10th Emergency Session of the UN General Assembly of 18 September 2024. There will never be peace in the region until Israel abides by the decisions of the United Nations and fully respects the right of the Palestinian people to full self-determination.
Ends
