Latest news with #Khiari
Scoop
7 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Official Reiterates Call For Gaza Ceasefire As ‘Nightmare Of Historic Proportions' Unfolds
23 July 2025 Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, told ministers and ambassadors that ongoing talks must lead to a permanent end to hostilities, the release of all hostages, unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid and for recovery and reconstruction to begin. He painted a grim picture of conditions on the ground, citing expanded Israeli military operations, particularly in Deir Al-Balah, which have led to further mass displacement. UN premises were also struck, hampering humanitarian operations and exacerbating the already dire situation. ASG Khiari briefs the Security Council. Humanitarian toll deepens At least 1,891 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since 30 June, according to figures from Gazan health authorities, including 294 people reportedly killed while attempting to collect aid near militarised distribution points. Evacuation orders continue to force repeated displacement while food insecurity and malnutrition are worsening despite a limited uptick in the entry of humanitarian supplies. On the Israeli side, 13 soldiers have been killed in the same period. Palestinian armed groups have continued sporadic rocket attacks into Israel. According to Israeli sources, 50 hostages, including 28 believed to be dead, are still being held by Hamas and other groups. ' The Secretary-General has repeatedly condemned the continued holding of hostages by Hamas and other armed groups,' Mr. Khiari stressed. ' Hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. ' Places of worship struck The briefing also highlighted growing concerns about civilian casualties and attacks on protected sites. Mr. Khiari condemned a 17 July strike on the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City, which killed three and injured several others. The strike forced the evacuation of roughly 600 Palestinians, including children and persons with special needs, who had been sheltering there. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office expressed regret, describing the strike as the result of 'stray ammunition' and said an investigation was underway, Mr. Khiari reported. Dire fuel shortages Since 9 July, Israel has allowed limited fuel deliveries through the Kerem Shalom/Karim Abu Salem crossing after 130 days of a full blockade. However, the amount is ' a fraction of what is required to run essential life-saving services in Gaza, where nearly every aspect of life depends on fuel ', Mr. Khiari warned. Occupied West Bank Turning to the occupied West Bank, Mr. Khiari reported high levels of violence, including deadly Israeli military operations, attacks by settlers on Palestinians and retaliatory attacks by Palestinians against Israelis. He noted that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is facing a severe fiscal crisis, with $2.7 billion in withheld clearance revenues, crippling its ability to pay salaries and provide basic services. ' Unless urgently addressed, the deterioration of the PA's fiscal and institutional situation could have catastrophic consequences, undermining the significant progress made over many years to build up Palestinian institutions,' he warned, urging immediate international support. Tensions in the wider region Mr. Khiari also highlighted continued tensions along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel as well as renewed violence in Syria's Sweida region and Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory. He urged both Israel and Syria to adhere to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and to avoid any actions that risk escalating the conflict. Call for a political horizon Mr. Khiari concluded by reiterating that only a revived political process towards the two-State solution can deliver a sustainable solution. ' Our goal is clear: realising the vision of two States – Israel and a viable and sovereign Palestinian State of which Gaza is an integral part – living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognised borders on the basis of the pre-1967 lines with Jerusalem as the capital of both States,' he said.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Sounds Alarm Over Syria As Sectarian Clashes, Israeli Strikes Flare
17 July 2025 The Druze-majority Sweida governorate, long relatively insulated from earlier phases of Syria's 14year conflict, has now become a flashpoint. Briefing an emergency meeting of the Security Council, UN Assistant SecretaryGeneral Khaled Khiari painted a grim picture: hundreds of casualties among soldiers and civilians –including women, children and the elderly – alongside reports of mass displacement, attacks on infrastructure, and hospitals 'at or near capacity' amid power and water cuts. ' There were further alarming reports of civilians, religious figures and detainees being subjected to extrajudicial executions and humiliating and degrading treatment,' he said. Violent reprisals and looting have devastated communities, with graphic footage circulating widely on social media amplifying fear and anger. He urged all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Timeline of escalation 12 July: Series of mutual kidnappings in Sweida escalate into armed clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze armed groups. 14 July: Syrian security forces deploy to 'halt clashes' and 'restore order'. At least 10 personnel reportedly killed by Druze armed groups, others abducted. Reports surface of the abuses against civilians as forces enter Sweida. Clashes intensify, leaving hundreds dead or wounded among security forces and Druze fighters, casualties also reported among Druze and Bedouin civilians, including women, children and the elderly. Sectarian rhetoric surges on social media. 15-16 July: Hundreds of Druze from the occupied Syrian Golan and Syria gather on both sides of the ceasefire line, in the presence of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), expressing solidarity with the Druze community in Sweida. Israeli airstrikes compound crisis Against this backdrop, Israel, 'pledging to protect' the Druze community launched 'escalatory' strikes on Syrian territory, Mr. Khiari said. Between 12 and 16 July, air raids targeted Damascus authorities' forces and official buildings, military installations and the vicinity of the Presidential Palace. ' In addition to violating Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Israel's actions undermine efforts to build a new Syria at peace with itself and the region, and further destabilise Syria at a sensitive time,' Mr. Khiari said. He urged both Israel and Syria to uphold the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and 'refrain from any action that would further undermine it and the stability on the Golan.' Humanitarian fallout According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) there are severe disruption to supply routes, with insecurity and road closures blocking aid deliveries. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) dispatched trauma care supplies to Daraa, but Sweida remains inaccessible. Mr. Khiari stressed the need for humanitarian access and called on Damascus to ensure any investigations into alleged abuses are 'transparent and in line with international standards.' Call for genuine reconciliation Reaffirming the Security Council's March call for an inclusive, Syrian-owned political process under resolution 2254, Mr. Khiari warned: ' Security and stability in Sweida, and indeed in post-Assad Syria can only be achieved through genuine reconciliation and with the participation of all components of Syria's diverse society. ' He urged all Syrian stakeholders to commit to dialogue and emphasised the UN's support for an inclusive and credible political transition that ensures accountability, fosters national healing and lays the foundation for Syria's long-term recovery and prosperity. ' Only then, can Syria truly emerge from the legacy of conflict and embrace a peaceful future,' he concluded.
Shafaq News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
UN sounds alarm: Sharp rise in missing persons
Shafaq News/ The United Nations has warned that a global surge in missing persons is obstructing post-conflict recovery and threatening international peace. UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific Khaled Khiari reported that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) registered 56,000 new cases in 2024, pushing the total number of unresolved cases to nearly 255,000. 'Such disappearances, particularly in conflict zones, erode trust and hinder reconciliation efforts." Khiari urged full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2474, which obliges parties to armed conflicts to account for the missing and provide answers to their families. 'The right of families to know must be upheld." He cited the situation in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians, including minors, are missing, and accused Israel of withholding the remains of the deceased, preventing families from accessing critical information. Khiari also referenced civilians unaccounted for in Ukraine, as well as unresolved cases in Myanmar, Syria, and the Korean Peninsula. In Ukraine alone, the number of missing has doubled over the past year to around 50,000, with military personnel comprising 90% of that figure. In Syria, more than 35,000 people have been reported missing since the start of the civil war. The ICRC has established hotlines to help reunite families but warned that processing these cases will take time due to the data volume. The ICRC attributes the rising numbers to the spread of armed conflicts,now over 120 globally, and the frequent violation of international humanitarian law, including failures to identify the dead or disclose information about detainees. 'Resolving the crisis requires coordinated international action and full compliance with humanitarian obligations,' Khiari emphasized.
The Print
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Pahalgam terror attack: UN Security Council member nations pose tough questions to Pakistan
There was broad condemnation of the terrorist attack and the need to fix accountability for it, authoritative sources told PTI after an informal session of the top UN body. The Security Council refused to issue a statement following the meeting which was held in a consultative room rather than the main hall, effectively dismissing Pakistan's attempt to get a favourable position from the Security Council. New York, May 6 (PTI) UN Security Council member nations have posed tough questions to Pakistan while discussing the Pahalgam terror attack amid increasing global outrage over the dastardly strike that killed 26 civilians. 'The UN Security Council members raised tough questions for Pakistan at its informal session. It was advised to sort out the issues bilaterally with India,' a source said. At the deliberations, the UN Security Council discussed rising tensions between India and Pakistan and several envoys called for de-escalation. Although the 15-member UNSC did not issue a statement, Pakistan claimed that its own objectives were 'largely served'. Pakistan is one of the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council. Greece, president of the UNSC for the month of May, had scheduled the meeting on Monday following a request by Pakistan. Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Khaled Mohamed Khiari of Tunisia briefed the Council on behalf of both departments (DPPA and DPO). Coming out of the meeting, Khiari said there was a call for 'dialogue and peaceful resolution of the conflict.' He noted that the 'situation is volatile.' Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, a Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations and the current UNSC President, described it as a 'productive meeting, helpful'. A Russian diplomat said, 'We hope for de-escalation.' Citing 'cross-border linkages' to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, India has promised severe punishment to those involved in the strike. India on April 23 announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operation land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties in view of cross-border links to the attack. In response, Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian airliners and suspended all trade with India, including through third countries. Pakistan rejected India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and said any move to stop the flow of water will be seen as an 'act of war'. PTI YAS/MPB DV DV This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
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Business Standard
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Indo-Pak tensions: UNSC urges de-escalation, ask Pakistan 'tough questions'
The UN Security Council discussed rising tensions between India and Pakistan at closed-door consultations, where envoys called for de-escalation and also asked Pakistan tough questions. Greece, president of the UNSC for the month of May, had scheduled the meeting on Monday following a request by Pakistan, which is currently a non-permanent member. The meeting comes days after terrorists killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, triggering outrage in India. The 15-member UNSC did not issue a statement after the meeting, but Pakistan claimed that its own objectives were "largely served". Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Khaled Mohamed Khiari of Tunisia briefed the Council on behalf of both departments (DPPA and DPO). Coming out of the meeting, Khiari said there was a call for dialogue and peaceful resolution of the conflict. He noted that the situation is volatile. Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, a Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations and the current UNSC President, described it as a productive meeting, helpful. A Russian diplomat said, We hope for de-escalation. Sources here told PTI that members of the 15-nation Security Council raised "tough questions for Pakistan at its informal session. It was advised to sort out the issues bilaterally with India, they said. The sources added that there was broad condemnation of the terrorist attack and recognition of the need for accountability. Some members specifically brought up targeting of tourists on the basis of their religious faith, the sources said. UNSC members refused to accept the false flag narrative and asked whether Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was likely to be involved. The closed-door meeting that lasted about an hour and a half did not take place in the UNSC Chamber where Council members sit at the horse-shoe table, but in a consultation room next to it. Sources added Pakistan's efforts to internationalise the situation also failed. Many members expressed concern that Pakistan's missile tests and nuclear rhetoric were escalatory factors. Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad told reporters that the country's objectives were largely served and achieved at the meeting. He said the objectives of the closed consultations included enabling the Council members to have a discussion on the deteriorating security environment and rising tensions between India and Pakistan and to have an exchange of views on how to address the situation, including avoiding confrontation that could have serious consequences and the need for de-escalation. Ahmad thanked Council members for their engagement and their calls for restraint, de-escalation and dialogue. He said that while Pakistan does not seek confrontation, we are fully prepared to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Pakistan also raised the issue of India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. Water is life, not a weapon. These rivers sustain over 240 million Pakistanis, he said. Ahmad said at the meeting Pakistan reiterated its commitment to peaceful, cooperative relations with all our neighbours, including India. We remain open to dialogue based on mutual respect and sovereign equality, he added. In view of the gravity of the situation, the calls for dialogue, de-escalation and peaceful resolution of disputes, such as by the Secretary-General, and what we also heard from the Council members today are most pertinent, Ahmad said. Before the UNSC meeting, India's former Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin had told PTI that no consequential outcome" can be expected from a discussion where a party to the conflict seeks to shape perceptions by using its membership of the Council. India will parry such Pakistani efforts." Following the meeting, he said, Pakistan's grandstanding has flopped again today as in the past. As was expected, there was no meaningful response by the Council. Indian diplomacy has yet again successfully parried Pakistani efforts to seek the Security Council's intervention. Just hours before the closed consultations, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced concern over tensions between India and Pakistan being at their highest in years. It pains me to see relations reaching a boiling point," he said. He made these remarks to the press from the UNSC stake-out Monday morning. Guterres said he understands the raw feelings following the awful terror attack in Pahalgam and reiterated his strong condemnation of that attack. Targeting civilians is unacceptable and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means, he said. The UN chief stressed that it is essential especially at this critical hour -- to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control. Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink. That has been my message in my ongoing outreach with both countries. Make no mistake: A military solution is no solution, the UN chief said. Apart from the five veto-wielding permanent members China, France, Russia, the UK and the US the 10 non-permanent members in the Council are Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
