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our Excellency Mr. Mohamed Salem Ould Marzouk,

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad,

For the Islamic Republic of Mauritania,

Chairman of the 161st ordinary session of the League Council at the ministerial level

Your Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Your Excellency, the Minister, on the Islamic Republic of Mauritania assuming the presidency of the 161st session of the Ministerial Council. I wish you every success in your endeavours. I would also like to express my gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad of the Kingdom of Morocco, for his leadership during the 160th session of the Council. Additionally, my congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, for participating in the work of our esteemed Council for the first time.

Mr. President,

Last Thursday is an indelible memory for all of us and for the world. It marks the day when nearly 120 Palestinians were martyred, and almost 700 were injured by bullets from the Israeli occupation forces while searching for food to alleviate their hunger and sustain their lives.

In northern Gaza, the occupation's actions went beyond killing and destruction, reaching the point of wiping out entire cities and undermining the essentials of life for years to come. Their aggression was not limited to physical devastation; it deliberately targeted empty stomachs. This massacre stands as a testament to an unprecedented global state of helplessness in the face of unparalleled bullying and brutality.

The current situation can only be described as a disgrace, casting shame upon all of humanity for standing idly by while Palestinians suffer from starvation, bombings, and sniper attacks.

The occupying forces have attempted to justify their actions as a war against Hamas, claiming a plan to eradicate it. However, the truth has become evident without the need for further explanation. This is a complete campaign of annihilation against an entire population, employing bullets, bombs, and starvation. The situation in Gaza has witnessed deliberate and prolonged starvation of its residents, with the aim of spreading chaos, destroying civil order, causing maximum casualties, and displacing as many people as possible from the region.

In light of the unveiling of this scandalous and shameful plan, what lies ahead for the world? I specifically address this question to those countries that perceive themselves as morally superior, who advocate for international law and a rules-based global order.

Is it sufficient for a major global power to drop aid on Gaza from the air to absolve itself of any guilt? How can this be justified when the same power is providing extensive weaponry and ammunition to the occupying force? How can this be deemed acceptable when the same power has the ability to end the war by exerting genuine pressure on the occupation and its leaders?

The undeniable truth is that the occupation employs starvation as a deliberate strategy in Gaza, obstructing and delaying the entry of aid to bring Palestinian society to its knees. Just recently, the World Food Programme convoy, consisting of 14 trucks, was prevented from entering northern Gaza. Moreover, the occupation is actively seeking to tighten the grip by targeting UNRWA, the main agency operating in Gaza and other areas with Palestinian refugee populations. UNRWA, established by a UN decision in 1949, is being undermined by the Israeli occupation, citing the involvement of 12 employees in attacks on 7 October. What kind of logic is this? It is akin to shutting down an entire hospital because one doctor violated the law.

Regrettably, we have witnessed 16 countries, including major donors to UNRWA, succumb to this distorted logic and accept baseless arguments aimed at eradicating the refugee issue. This jeopardises all humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip and undermines the crucial role of UNRWA in providing assistance. It is imperative for these countries that have suspended their financial contributions to reconsider their decision from a humanitarian and moral standpoint. The responsibility for the relief of Palestinian refugees remains fundamentally an international obligation. It is unreasonable for judgements to be made prior to conducting a thorough investigation. It is unjust to collectively punish over two million Palestinians based on accusations, with known motives and exposed intentions.

Mr. President,

The facts are undeniable and weigh heavily on every human conscience. More than 25,000 children and women have fallen as martyrs after 150 days of calculated killings. It has taken some individuals a full five months and over 30,000 lives to utter the words "immediate cessation". Yet, there are still those who merely express these words without exerting genuine pressure on the aggressor party. The current situation calls for concrete actions rather than mere rhetoric.

I state unequivocally to all those who seek to de-escalate tensions in the region and understand the perils of sliding into a major regional conflict that will serve no party's interest: there is only one path to quell the fires that rage in various places. It is to halt this unlawful war, put an end to the Israeli killing machine, and uphold what little remains of the integrity of international law and humanitarian principles, assuming they still hold any meaning or value after the ongoing massacres.

To the occupying state and its leaders, I declare that each day you commit crimes in Gaza distances you further from coexistence and peace in this region. I say to them: the guns will one day fall silent, but the anger you have instilled in hearts will persist. The seeds of hatred you have sown will only yield rejection and animosity in the future.

I assure them: no matter how hard you try to extinguish the lives of Palestinians, your illusions will never materialise. The Palestinians will persist on their land. Forced displacement is vehemently rejected by Palestinians, Arabs, and the international community at large.

Mr. President,

As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, a time of mercy and peace, I express my admiration for the efforts made by this Council and other countries to counter the campaign of starvation and confront the weapon of famine employed by Israel against the Palestinians. I urge all countries around the world to continue their endeavours to bring essential life-saving aid into the Gaza Strip through any means necessary. It is crucial to emphasise the responsibility of the occupying state, which controls the crossings into Gaza, to facilitate the delivery of this aid to the people.

While introducing aid through a sustainable, swift, and effective mechanism will undoubtedly save lives, it alone cannot bring an end to the deep-rooted tragedy unfolding in the Gaza Strip. The immediate and sustainable achievement of a ceasefire is the imperative starting point. It is through this ceasefire that we can begin to address the catastrophic situation in Gaza and subsequently restore the ability to work politically towards implementing the vision of a two-state solution.

Thank you, and I extend my best wishes for the success of our meeting. May peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.