In a speech delivered Tuesday during a UN Security Council session devoted to discussing the situation in the Middle East and the Palestinian issue, Mansour said, "Starvation is being used as a weapon of war against civilians who continue to be relentlessly bombarded," adding that "an immediate ceasefire must be resumed and achieve its objectives."
He pointed out that the Gaza Strip is subject to a comprehensive Israeli blockade that "deprives two million Palestinians, half of whom are children, of water, food, electricity, and other basic necessities of life," warning of the "inhumane and unbearable" conditions the population is experiencing.
Mansour pointed out that the Security Council had previously adopted resolutions aimed at preventing displacement and land annexation and achieving the two-state solution, but that "the annexation plan in the West Bank is well underway, and Israeli leaders no longer need to hide their heinous intentions."
He added, "We cannot surrender to this situation. We must put an end to it." He expressed hope that the efforts of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, with international support, would result in re-establishing the ceasefire and ending all forms of suffering.
In early March, the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel concluded. The agreement, which went into effect on January 19, 2025, was brokered by Egypt and Qatar and supported by the United States, and the Palestinian movement adhered to it.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by international justice, evaded the start of the second phase and resumed the genocide in Gaza on March 18, responding to the most extreme faction within his right-wing government to advance his own political interests, according to Hebrew media.
Mansour also referred to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's speech at the Palestinian Central Council, in which he emphasized his commitment to peace, asserting: "We want peace, not just for ourselves, but for everyone."
He reiterated Palestine's commitment to the peaceful approach and the rule of international law, rejecting any harm to civilians by any party.
In another context, Mansour noted that Israel prevented him from entering the West Bank to participate in the Central Council meetings, saying, "I was detained for five hours and denied entry to my country, which I proudly represent. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the collective punishment policy against the Palestinians."
He also touched on the difference between the Palestinian leadership, which "believes in nonviolence," and the Israeli leadership, which, as he put it, "unleashes violence and destroys the chances for peace."
Regarding the future of Gaza, Mansour revealed that solutions are being proposed for "transitional governance" arrangements that would pave the way for the Palestinian Authority to assume responsibilities over the Strip, in conjunction with reconstruction plans without displacing the population.
He called on the international community to do its utmost to uphold international law and support the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, calling for recognition of the State of Palestine "without delay" and for measures to be taken to end settlements, annexation, and the illegal Israeli presence in the occupied territories.
On July 20, 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that "the continued presence of the State of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal," affirming that Palestinians have "the right to self-determination" and that "Israeli settlements in the occupied territories must be evacuated."
In his speech, he warned that "the Palestinian people are being killed and starving day after day," expressing his fear that "the world is becoming accustomed to the ongoing atrocities."
Since March 2, Israel has closed the Gaza Strip's crossings to the entry of food, relief, medical aid, and goods, causing a significant deterioration in the humanitarian situation for Palestinians, according to government, human rights, and international reports.
