Briefing ambassadors, Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-Basic on the Division of Political Affairs (DPPA), reiterated the UN’s unequivocal condemnation of the horrific assaults by Hamas and different Palestinian armed teams on Israeli communities on 7 October 2023.
Greater than 1,200 Israelis have been brutally killed and over 250 taken hostage. At the least 59 individuals – alive and deceased – stay within the custody of Hamas and different armed teams contained in the enclave.
“Nothing can justify the intentional killing, torture, sexual violence, and destruction – whole households murdered, burned of their properties, taken hostage,” Mr. Khiari mentioned.
“The occasions of that horrific day won’t be forgotten.”
Escalating battle
Mr. Khiari additionally reported on the worsening scenario in Gaza following the collapse of the two-month ceasefire and hostages launch deal – and resumption of full-blown battle.
Israeli airstrikes have resulted within the deaths of lots of of Palestinians, together with girls and kids, he mentioned, including additionally that six UN workers members have been killed up to now three days.
Calling for an pressing return to the ceasefire, Mr. Khiari warned that “with each passing day, we transfer additional away from the target of returning the remaining hostages safely to their properties.”
He recalled UN aid chief Tom Fletcher’s briefing to the Council earlier this week, “a renewed ceasefire is the easiest way of defending civilians – in Gaza, within the occupied Palestinian territory and in Israel – releasing hostages and detainees and permitting support and industrial provides in.”
Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-Basic for Center East, Asia and the Pacific, briefs the Security Council.
A survivor’s testimony: I got here again from hell
The Security Council additionally heard from Eli Sharabi, an Israeli survivor who spent 491 days in Hamas captivity. Taken from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri on 7 October 2023, Mr. Sharabi was held underground, chained, starved and subjected to psychological and bodily abuse.
“I’ve come again from hell,” he instructed ambassadors.
“For 491 days. I used to be stored principally underground in Hamas terror tunnels…held captive within the darkness, remoted from the world by Hamas terrorists,” he continued.
“For 491 days. I held on to hope, I imagined the life we’d rebuild, I dreamt of seeing my household once more,” he mentioned.
Nevertheless, solely when he returned home final month, he realized the reality that his spouse and two daughters had been killed by Hamas on 7 October.
‘Telling their tales’
Mr. Sharabi emphasised that he appeared earlier than the Security Council as we speak to inform the story of his brother, Yossi, who was additionally taken hostage and killed, and others nonetheless in Gaza.
“My brother Yossi, murdered in Hamas captivity, his physique nonetheless held hostage, nonetheless 50 metres underground. I swore to him that I might inform his story,” Mr. Sharabi mentioned, “for each hostage nonetheless in Hamas’ arms, I’m right here to let you know the entire fact.”
He described the occasions of seven October when Hamas attacked Kibbutz Be’eri, how he and his spouse, Lianne, tried to guard their daughters and the way he was taken away.
‘Begging was our existence’
Mr. Sharabi detailed the horrors of captivity, describing how hostages have been disadvantaged of meals, medical care and primary hygiene.
“We needed to beg for meals, beg to make use of the toilet. Begging was our existence,” he mentioned, including, “Hamas [terrorists] ate like kings whereas [we] starved.”
Mr. Sharabi was freed on 8 February, as a part of the hostage launch and ceasefire deal. Since his launch, he has met each US President Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, narrating the plight of hostages and interesting for his or her launch.
“Now, I’m right here earlier than you on the United Nations to say – convey them all home. No extra excuses, no extra delays. Should you stand for humanity, show it. Deliver them all home.”
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