This article is published in association with United Nations.

The General Assembly resumed its 10th emergency special session on the issue of Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Palestine introduced a draft resolution that demands an end to the occupation within one year, which Member States are expected to vote on at 11am (New York time) on Thursday.

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We’ll be back on Wednesday to cover the resumed emergency special session.17 Σεπ 2024  11:25 μ.μ.

Lebanon: Israel must abide by international law

OCHA/Lebanon

Lebanese Ambassador Hadi Hachem said his delegation is at the “top of the list” supporting this draft resolution and the State of Palestine. The historic ICJ decision stresses the unlawful nature of Israel’s occupation and the need to put an end to the illegal presence in Palestinian territory. However, even if the Assembly adopts this draft, he wondered if Israel would respect and implement it.

Turning to attacks against southern Lebanon by Israel, he said such strikes are also violating international law. Indeed, the cyberattack launched hours ago in Lebanon, which killed at least eight people and injured several thousand others, could amount to a war crime, he stressed.

The key to the solution is to put an end to hostile acts against Lebanon by fully implementing resolution 1701, he continued, adding that, days away from the Summit of the Future, he hoped that event would bring about a fairer world, including an emphasis on the importance of ICJ decisions and of Israel in abiding by international law.17 Σεπ 2024  11:24 μ.μ.

Iran: Palestinians have no choice but to resist

UN News

Amir Saeid Iravani, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN, said that despite resolutions reiterating the need to address the dire humanitarian needs of Palestinians and recognition of their rights, there have been “no positive changes” in Israeli policies.

“[This has resulted in] Palestinians being left with no choice but to resist the massive destructive attacks by Israeli forces and armed settlers against their homeland and people, including women and children,” he said.

“We are witnessing impressive resistance by our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the face of the horrific invasion and bombardment by Israeli forces, backed by a few specific countries,” he added.

He recalled the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July, stressing that, as per the order, Israel is under an obligation to cease its unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory and stop all settlement activity there immediately.

It should also withdraw all settlers and compensate all natural and legal persons in the occupied Palestinian territory for damage that the occupation has caused, he added.17 Σεπ 2024  10:50 μ.μ.

International Court of Justice: What you need to know

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been placed firmly in the global spotlight following South Africa’s decision to turn to the world tribunal after accusing Israel of violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention.

Read more at news.un.org17 Σεπ 2024  10:48 μ.μ.

South Africa: Israel’s violations undermine world court

© ICJ-CIJ/Frank van Beek

The representative of South Africa, which filed in December a case against Israel alleging genocide in Gaza, called on those with influence on Israel to “exert real pressure” to stop the bloodshed of the nearly year-long war.

Enabling Israel to act with impunity and violate ICJ orders is undermining the court and international law, he said, adding that the advisory opinion that had been the basis of this draft resolution serves as a reminder that the world cannot condone the ongoing carnage in Gaza.

This resolution seeks to put in place some countermeasures, he said, calling on States to halt weapons transfers to Israel so as to maintain the current unlawful situation and 

urging Member States to vote in favour of the draft resolution.17 Σεπ 2024  10:11 μ.μ.

Assembly to vote on Palestine draft Wednesday morning

On a point of order, the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine requested that the Assembly temporarily suspend the emergency special session debate at 11am on Wednesday so Member States could vote on the draft resolution his delegation had introduced earlier.

After hearing no objections from Member States, Assembly President Yang announced that the world body would hold the vote on the draft the following morning.17 Σεπ 2024  09:00 μ.μ.

Draft resolution demands an end to Israel’s occupation

UN News/Shirin Yaseen

This afternoon, the General Assembly will hear from Member States, including South Africa and China, ahead of taking action on a draft resolution that would demand an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory within one year.

Read the full draft resolution here.

Stay tuned for more live coverage at 3pm.17 Σεπ 2024  08:04 μ.μ.

Emergency special session will continue at 3pm

The General Assembly has suspended the emergency special session and will reconvene at 3pm (New York time) to hear the remaining speakers and take up the draft resolution tabled by Palestine. The draft would, among other things, have the Assembly demand that Israel end its occupation within one year.

Follow our latest news on occupied Gaza here.17 Σεπ 2024  08:02 μ.μ.

How aid is (and is not) getting into Gaza

A relentless siege, deadly targeted attacks and chronic restrictions on lifesaving aid deliveries into the war-torn Gaza Strip by Israeli forces: that’s just some of what aid workers are grappling with as they try to provide the level of lifesaving assistance needed to stave off widespread famine and epidemics in the strip.

UN News looked at the needs triggered by the ongoing conflict through a lens of how much aid is getting into Gaza compared with what is required to address the grim situation on the ground,  where 2.3 million Palestinians are trapped amid an ongoing war that began almost one year ago following Hamas-led attacks that left more than 1,000 people dead in Israel and 250 taken hostage.

Now they are grappling with rampant hunger, the spread of disease, vast destruction, a decimated healthcare system, destroyed water and sanitation infrastructure and a severe lack of basic necessities.

Read more at news.un.org.17 Σεπ 2024  07:55 μ.μ.

Committed to two-State solution: United States

UN News

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States said that her country has worked with determination to support a comprehensive peace agreement what would permanently resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“There is no other path that both guarantees Israel’s security and future as a democratic Jewish State and ensures Palestinians can live in peace and dignity in a State of their own,” she said.

“Consistent with this position, we have long opposed unilateral measures that undermine the prosect of a two-State solution, that includes the advancement of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and it includes the resolution that the Palestinian delegation has put before us today.”

She noted that the US has been clear about its policy concerns over Israel’s settler programme and that it is inconsistent with international law.

“We maintain firm opposition to settlement expansion, which in our judgment only weakens Israel’s security,” she said.

She added that the US respects the important role of the ICJ in peaceful settlement of disputes and in advising the General Assembly: “However, adoption of a one-sided resolution that selectively interprets the substance of the ICJ’s opinion does not advance what we all want to see – progress towards two States living in peace, side by side.”