- 11/9/2023
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00:00 We're going to take you live to the Elysee Palace now,
00:03 where the French President is starting to speak as the aid
00:06 conference on Gaza, which is being organized by France,
00:10 gets underway.
00:11 (Via interpreter)
00:13 And the Taoiseach will be joining us in a few moments.
00:17 And I warned her that we would start on the 7th of October.
00:20 Last, a terrorist group, Hamas, conducted a massive attack
00:25 against Israel, committed crimes of exceptional seriousness
00:29 against its population.
00:31 More than 1,400 people lost their lives,
00:34 239 hostages still in the hands of Hamas.
00:38 The first thought clearly goes to the victims
00:41 of the attacks of Hamas, amongst many French citizens.
00:45 I know there are many French citizens involved.
00:48 Faced with terrorism, our unity, our determination,
00:52 our compassion are fully with you.
00:55 And the hostages have to be released immediately
00:57 and with no conditions attached.
00:59 When Hamas attacked Israel, it took the responsibility
01:03 of exposing the Palestinians to terrible consequences.
01:07 And the civilians of Gaza are paying the price.
01:10 Large numbers have been displaced.
01:12 Thousands are dead or have been wounded and can be added
01:17 to the unfortunate situation.
01:19 The Israelis is the unfortunate situation, the Palestinians.
01:22 And we cannot just remain idle because we,
01:28 we who bear universal values, there are no double standards.
01:33 Let us state it clearly.
01:35 Faced with terrorism, Israel has the right to defend itself
01:40 and the duty to protect its own people.
01:43 It has also an eminent responsibility
01:46 that of all democracies abiding by law
01:49 and protecting civilians.
01:51 And the fight against terrorism can't be without rules
01:55 and as well as the way of this.
01:57 And the trap of terrorism is to give up on our values
02:01 when having caused a violence.
02:03 Now, we share values and we have joint commitments
02:07 which compel us to us, alongside with the Israeli
02:11 and Palestinian authorities, to look closely
02:14 at the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
02:16 The civilian population has to be protected.
02:19 It is absolutely essential.
02:22 And this is non-negotiable.
02:24 This is an immediate need in the longer term.
02:28 And it will be a condition, a prerequisite
02:30 to ensure for the fight against terrorism.
02:34 Today, the situation is extremely serious
02:36 and it's getting worse every day.
02:38 And in the immediate future, we have to work
02:40 on civilian protection.
02:42 For that, we need a very quick humanitarian pause or break.
02:47 And we have to work towards a ceasefire.
02:49 Now, this should become possible.
02:53 We have to create a space necessary for humanitarian actors
02:57 to act within Gaza.
02:59 And hopefully, this meeting will enable us
03:01 to be effective together in the spirit of consensus.
03:05 And beyond the tragedy that many Palestinian
03:08 and Israeli firms experience, we should be able
03:10 to take initiative, peace, safety, and security
03:13 for all in this region of the world.
03:16 And of course, this is based upon humanitarian pause
03:20 to which we're going to advance tangibly today.
03:22 It's based on a second pillar.
03:24 It's a security pillar.
03:26 And we're going to ensure that we're against al-Qaeda
03:29 and Daesh, other groups who are dangerous to all.
03:32 Nobody can say that Hamas is not a terrorist group
03:35 or a dangerous group.
03:37 The measures will have to be taken
03:39 to ensure its finances dry up.
03:43 And I would suggest a series of actions
03:46 to ensure that other terrorist groups in this region
03:49 no longer join in this fight to ensure
03:53 that the source of funding and weapons dries up.
03:56 But we'll talk about that later.
03:59 But we'll have to think about-- we'll
04:02 have to coordinate ourselves.
04:05 Of course, the second pillar, which is essential,
04:07 which has to be targeted, specific and close coordination
04:10 between our intelligence services and security
04:14 and financial initiative, which require
04:16 the implication of all regional international players.
04:19 And the third pillar, even if it's
04:22 difficult to conceive of that today or imagine,
04:24 perhaps it's difficult to-- particularly
04:27 because it's difficult to imagine today,
04:30 it's even more essential.
04:31 It's a political pillar.
04:33 We have to learn from our mistakes
04:35 and no longer accept the Middle East.
04:38 This area is always being pushed off till tomorrow.
04:41 As of today, we have to take initiative
04:43 and to find the strength to move towards a two-state solution,
04:48 Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace.
04:50 So the creation of a Palestinian state
04:54 would serve the safety and security of the Israeli.
04:57 And this war today should deviate from the objective
05:01 to ensure that leadership aspirations are satisfied.
05:04 And the Palestinians have to find an answer.
05:08 And it's not just about neutralizing Hamas.
05:11 These three aspects, humanitarian, security-based,
05:15 and political, inextricably linked, closely entwined.
05:20 But this requires smooth coordination
05:24 between all people of goodwill.
05:26 And I hope that will be to identify
05:28 financial and material resources and tangible organization
05:34 in the field and the requests that we
05:37 have to make upon various stakeholders
05:39 to ensure that this aid can be directed
05:44 so we can prepare this humanitarian pause.
05:48 And then subsequently, a ceasefire,
05:50 which are essential and unavoidable.
05:53 So I would like us, first of all,
05:55 to have the organizations of players in the field.
05:58 I'm going to give the field to the Commissioner General
06:00 of UNRWA and then to Mr. Griffiths
06:03 and to Madam the Chairman of the International Red Cross.
06:08 And then two spokespersons of NGS,
06:11 Mr. Gland and Madam de Fourni for the Refugee Council
06:16 and Doctors Without Borders, MSF.
06:18 And then I propose that the heads of state and of government
06:21 should be able to speak to make their contribution,
06:24 to share their convictions and their aid.
06:27 Mr. Commissioner General, I hand the floor over to you.
06:31 If you would like to express our sincerest condolences
06:35 for the staff that you have lost during the last few weeks,
06:38 men and women who were serving the international community
06:43 and whose lives were claimed in the Gaza Strip,
06:48 men and women who helped, who taught, who provided care.
06:52 And so you are specifically --
06:55 your teams are specifically in our thoughts this morning.
06:59 Thank you very much, Mr. President,
07:01 and thank you very much for your very kind words
07:05 aimed at our personnel in the field.
07:08 And I will convey your message as soon as possible.
07:13 Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen,
07:14 the representatives of states and international organizations,
07:17 I'd like to kindly thank France and in particular
07:21 the French President Emmanuel Macron
07:23 for organizing this international conference
07:26 that together we might be able to remedy
07:28 this catastrophic situation where a lot of civilians
07:35 involved in Gaza.
07:37 -Painful months for UNRWA,
07:39 the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees.
07:42 Ninety-nine of my colleagues have been killed in Gaza,
07:46 the highest number of UN aid work
07:49 killed in a conflict in such a short time.
07:52 There are among 10,000 people killed
07:55 since the beginning of the war,
07:57 according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
08:01 I was in Gaza last week for the first time
08:04 since the war started.
08:06 I visited an UNRWA school sheltering thousands of people.
08:10 It was heartbreaking.
08:12 Children used to learn and now laugh in this school.
08:17 Today, they plead for a piece of bread and a sip of water.
08:22 More than 700,000 displaced people
08:25 live in similar degrading conditions
08:28 in 150 UNRWA schools and buildings
08:32 across the Gaza Strip.
08:34 Our shelters are overcrowded with little food,
08:37 water, or privacy.
08:39 The appalling sanitary conditions
08:41 represent a looming public health hazard.
08:45 My colleague, Maha, coordinates logistic in Gaza.
08:50 She remains strong when her children ask her every day
08:53 if they are going to die,
08:55 but she struggles with the anxiety
08:57 that she sees on their faces.
09:01 Outside the shelters, entire neighborhoods have been leveled,
09:05 extinguishing countless lives, hopes, and dreams.
09:09 Hospitals, churches, mosques, bakeries,
09:11 and UNRWA schools have not been spared.
09:15 My colleague, Farid, is our education in chief in Gaza.
09:20 When he meets his students inside our shelter,
09:23 they ask him why UNRWA invested so much time
09:27 teaching them about conflict resolution and human rights
09:30 if this value does not apply to them in Gaza.
09:34 What should the answer?
09:36 Thousands of children killed cannot be collateral damage.
09:40 Pushing a million people from their home
09:42 and concentrating them in areas
09:45 without adequate infrastructure is forced displacement.
09:49 Severely limiting food, water, and medicine
09:51 is collective punishment.
09:54 It took many countries
09:56 that have championed international justice too long
10:00 to call for adherence to international humanitarian law.
10:04 At the same time, several countries rushed to call
10:07 for cutting aid to Palestine,
10:09 abruptly unplugging an entire system
10:12 that depends on international aid to survive.
10:16 Condemning the horrendous massacre
10:18 committed by Hamas in Israel is the right thing to do.
10:21 The UN has done so and continues to call
10:26 for hostages to be released.
10:28 This cannot, however, justify a war
10:31 that disregards international humanitarian law
10:34 and promotes dehumanizing rhetoric.
10:37 References to Palestinian arms, and I quote,
10:41 "terrorists, human animals, and people to be erased
10:46 is unconcernable and demonstrates
10:48 a starling lack of empathy.
10:51 It poisons the hope of any shared future
10:54 and fuels anger and resentment in the region and beyond."
11:00 Mr. President, I'm deeply concerned
11:03 about the potential spillover of the conflict beyond Gaza.
11:09 In the West Bank, military incursion
11:11 by the Israeli forces and settler violence
11:14 have caused record high deaths,
11:15 tall among Palestinians.
11:18 The West Bank is boiling,
11:20 and if we wouldn't have Gaza today,
11:23 all our attention would be on the West Bank.
11:27 And meanwhile, the Lebanese-Israeli border
11:30 experiences regular exchanges of fire and civilian casualties.
11:35 So, Mr. President, I'm seeking your urgent support
11:40 for first, a humanitarian ceasefire,
11:44 along with strict adherence to international humanitarian law.
11:48 Civilian and civilian infrastructure,
11:50 including UN facilities hosting displaced people,
11:55 must be protected and accessible to humanitarian assistance
11:58 everywhere in Gaza at all times.
12:02 Second, we need a meaningful and continuous flow
12:06 of humanitarian aid, including fuel.
12:10 The volume of aid coming in through Rafa,
12:14 blatantly, is inadequate.
12:17 All crossing should be open,
12:20 in particular crossing points with Israel,
12:23 like Kerem Shalom.
12:25 But humanitarian aid alone will not cover
12:29 the needs of people in Gaza.
12:31 It must be complemented by the private sector
12:35 and the restoration of municipal services,
12:37 like water and waste management.
12:40 We must reopen commercial lines
12:42 so shops and retailers can replenish their stocks.
12:47 And third, UNRWA still needs funds.
12:51 I thank the country that announced new contributions
12:55 in the past weeks.
12:56 However, our core budget remains underfunded.
13:01 The biggest UN agencies in Gaza might not have the funds
13:05 for staff salaries until the end of the year.
13:10 UNRWA is among the last glimmer of hope in Gaza.
13:16 5,000 staff continue to run clinics,
13:20 distribute bread and water,
13:22 and provide psychosocial support in our shelters.
13:25 We cannot take the risk to discontinue our services.
13:30 I implore your governments to remain generous
13:34 and ask those that have excluded the agency
13:39 from their contribution to reconsider.
13:42 We will hear from Martin Griffiths
13:44 about the humanitarian flash appeal,
13:46 which includes an important component for UNRWA.
13:49 Finally, we have to consider the day after.
13:54 We must step back from the brink of a speedover
13:57 before it's too late.
13:59 A genuine prospect of Palestinian statehood
14:02 is critical, as you said, Mr. President,
14:04 to stabilize the region.
14:07 It is in the interest of all, including Israel,
14:10 to find a solution that allows Israeli and Palestinian
14:14 to live in peace side by side.
14:17 As a humanitarian and development partner,
14:20 UNRWA will do all it can for the civilians in Gaza.
14:25 Thank you.
14:27 -Merci beaucoup. Thank you.
14:29 -Thank you very much.
14:31 Over to you, Mr. Martin Griffiths.
14:34 -Thank you very much, Mr. President.
14:37 -Microphone.
14:41 -VoilĂ . Je recommence.
14:43 -So I'll re-begin.
14:44 And even in French.
14:47 -Merci, Monsieur le Président.
14:48 -Thank you very much, Mr. President,
14:50 because I'm English.
14:53 My French is not entirely perfect,
14:55 and like my colleague, Philippe,
14:59 I'm going to express myself in English.
15:03 And a grand merci.
15:08 And a big thank you for our unity,
15:11 which is very significant with this,
15:12 the most important issue in the world at the moment, I believe.
15:16 -Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, friends, allies,
15:23 I do want to again extend my sincere thanks
15:26 to President Macron, who has put together this conference
15:29 so quickly, precisely because of his understanding
15:33 and recognition of the urgency of the subject of the day.
15:37 And it's a very great honor to be here.
15:40 And the attendance under his leadership
15:42 of such a broad range of member states
15:45 reflects the severity of the situation.
15:49 It's also a reminder, as indeed, Monsieur le Président,
15:53 que vous avez dit, of the links in this situation,
15:59 a reminder of the intimate connection between war,
16:03 diplomacy, humanitarian values,
16:06 and the respect for the rights of innocents,
16:09 wherever they may be.
16:11 The devastating, as Philippe has said,
16:13 and growing civilian toll of this conflict is unconscionable
16:18 and is daily highly distressing.
16:22 We've heard from Philippe of some of the many details
16:26 of operational opportunities, difficulties, dilemmas,
16:31 and threats that face him and others in the field.
16:34 I have visited myself recently,
16:38 and I'm very grateful to the governments,
16:41 particularly Egypt, who received me,
16:44 and others the other day.
16:47 I had the opportunity, like you have had, of course,
16:50 and others have had, to meet with the families
16:53 of some of the Israeli hostages,
16:57 and spoken also to some of the families in Gaza,
16:59 not with your breadth and depth, but some kind of exposure.
17:04 The situation is, very simply put, it is insupportable,
17:08 and to allow it to continue would be a travesty.
17:12 So allow me to share some thoughts here
17:14 on what needs to be done to happen urgently
17:16 to avoid that travesty.
17:20 First, again, I will repeat remarks made earlier,
17:24 complete respect by all parties
17:26 for international humanitarian law and basic human dignity.
17:31 This means, among many other things,
17:34 that civilians must be protected,
17:36 their essential needs met wherever they are
17:39 and wherever they decide to be.
17:43 The United Nations cannot be part of a unilateral proposal
17:48 to push hundreds of thousands of desperate civilians in Gaza
17:54 into so-called safe zones.
17:56 We cannot be part of this.
17:58 The UN has not been involved in preparing
18:01 for the arrival of those people to that prospective safe zone
18:07 in Gaza, and we have serious, serious concerns
18:11 about its proposition.
18:14 Concerns about the safety of civilians in safe zones,
18:17 something the United Nations has some historical experience of,
18:21 of course.
18:22 Concerns about the safety also depend
18:25 on agreement between all the parties to those zones.
18:29 Concerns that satisfactory conditions do not
18:32 exist anywhere in Gaza, or either in one place,
18:38 to support adequate shelter, food, water, sanitation,
18:41 and health for such large numbers.
18:43 And concerns regarding the protection of civilians
18:47 elsewhere in Gaza.
18:49 All of these militate against these ideas
18:53 which are being discussed about the safe zones.
18:56 Number two, we must be allowed to get essential supplies
19:00 and humanitarian relief, including fuel.
19:02 We're still waiting for agreement on fuel
19:05 into Gaza safely, without impediment,
19:07 reliably, and at scale.
19:10 And the modest number of trucks, as Felipe
19:14 said, that we have so far managed to get in,
19:16 and we're grateful for the intense negotiations that
19:19 have been taking place daily and nightly.
19:22 Egypt, of course, Israel, United States, and the UN
19:27 have managed to increase the number of trucks.
19:29 But as we know, the-- you have called it, I think, Felipe,
19:34 at one point, a crumb for the people of Gaza,
19:37 the number of trucks.
19:38 I think we've hit 100.
19:39 We need five times that.
19:42 And we need it without impediment,
19:44 and we need it reliably, and we need it repetitively.
19:47 And people need to be able to know
19:49 that the truck will come tomorrow with the right goods.
19:53 But I want to thank the government of Egypt at this
19:55 point for facilitating access--
19:57 thank you very much--
20:01 via RAFA, and for consenting to host the UN at the El Arish
20:09 airport, the humanitarian team which is on its way.
20:12 But again, as you said, Felipe, we
20:14 need more than one entry point.
20:16 We need more, because if the needs of the people of Gaza
20:20 are going to continue to increase as they do now,
20:23 in the context of this military operation,
20:26 one crossing point, 100 trucks, will not do the business.
20:33 Third, we need a humanitarian ceasefire.
20:36 There has been a lot of debate, clearly with me,
20:40 about the wording of this.
20:42 But for me, it's very simple.
20:45 It is cessation of fighting, the silencing of the guns
20:49 for humanitarian purposes.
20:52 There's been a lot of discussion about the value of pauses,
20:55 and I'm not one to deny the value of pauses.
20:58 But that is not the same as a ceasefire,
21:01 as you mentioned also, Mr. President,
21:04 which provides a sense of continuity
21:06 to allow precisely for the revival of services,
21:12 the entry of the private sector, and the possibility
21:16 of the people of Gaza to breathe and consider
21:19 that they will have a future.
21:22 This must be our objective and must be our priority.
21:26 Monsieur le Président, as desperate and appalling
21:32 as the situation is in Gaza, and as Felipe
21:35 said, if we didn't have Gaza, we would be noticing what's
21:40 happening in the West Bank, it is also a warning.
21:45 It's a warning that we cannot lose
21:46 sight of the deteriorating situation in the West Bank.
21:49 Incidents of violence, as you have said, against Palestinians
21:52 are growing.
21:53 The worst they have been in years.
21:56 And most importantly, perhaps this is my main message,
22:00 it is a warning that we cannot allow a regional escalation
22:05 of this war.
22:07 We are already seeing the signs of such an escalation
22:11 in exchanges and fire and words between Hezbollah and Israel.
22:19 We have seen the signs in rockets fired from Yemen,
22:22 my old place of work, towards Israel.
22:26 We have seen the signs of massive protests
22:28 around the world in all our countries.
22:31 And everywhere we see the rise of anti-Muslim,
22:35 anti-Semitic sentiments, rhetoric, and acts of violence,
22:40 both virtually and in the real world.
22:42 War, indeed, is a virus that always wants to expand.
22:48 And the current conflict is a wildfire
22:50 that could consume the region, that could spread,
22:54 and that we will think these have been the good days when
22:57 we see what may happen tomorrow.
23:00 Unless multilateral and diplomatic efforts--
23:03 and Mr. President spoke about the three pillars--
23:06 security, humanitarian, and political--
23:09 unless these can be maximized to ensure protection of civilians,
23:14 enhance humanitarian access, secure
23:17 the release of the hostages so viciously, violently taken
23:23 on October the 7th, I have a real fear
23:25 that this could just be the beginning.
23:29 Over the past two years, as we all know,
23:33 particularly my neighbors, multilateralism
23:37 and the fairness, equality, and pursuit of peace
23:42 that underpin it has come under significant challenge,
23:46 not least, of course, from the war in Ukraine.
23:48 Today, it is under significant challenge again.
23:53 Choosing war over peace, choosing no future
23:59 over the opportunities to improve
24:00 the conditions for our children and our families
24:03 has become the default option.
24:05 It is now that we are at the time of the greatest challenge
24:08 that we must defend and act upon our common principles built up
24:13 over many years to make the pursuit of peace trump
24:19 the default position of war.
24:23 Multilateralism and committed diplomacy
24:25 must be the vehicle through which we find
24:27 a solution for the Palestinian people.
24:30 And today's conference is a decisive step on that path
24:34 because, Mr. President, you draw a straight line here
24:39 in your arrangements, in your attendance,
24:41 in your participation between conscience of the world
24:47 and generosity and action for the Palestinian people.
24:51 And we thank you for that.
24:53 And finally, of course, like you,
24:55 I want to thank UNRWA and my friend, Philippe,
24:59 for what they're doing on the front lines
25:01 and what they have always done on the front lines
25:05 for the Palestinian people.
25:07 UNRWA is the thin line between tragedy and safety,
25:11 between slaughter and humanity.
25:14 UNRWA has other agencies, and we'll be hearing from them,
25:17 and we're here present.
25:19 But we mourn the loss, that intolerable loss,
25:24 of UNRWA personnel and their families,
25:27 often killed at home with their families,
25:30 and the pressures upon those who remain operational.
25:35 5,000 staff you spoke of in Gaza,
25:38 displaced in desperate danger with losses
25:42 in their own families is a remarkable tribute
25:46 to the humanity that is the basis of this conference.
25:50 Thank you, Philippe.
25:51 Merci, Monsieur le Président.
25:55 Thank you very much, Deputy Secretary General.
25:59 Now, the head of the Red Cross.
26:02 Monsieur le Président, Excellences,
26:06 ladies and gentlemen,
26:08 the suffering is intolerable in Gaza and Israel.
26:15 Too many lives, including children, have been lost.
26:19 The destruction of houses and the deep traumatism
26:24 and the hostages still being under custody
26:28 are creating serious anguish.
26:32 This disastrous humanitarian situation
26:35 has already lasted for a month,
26:37 and it's entirely acceptable that it should last any longer.
26:41 International humanitarian law is a key tool
26:46 and the most complete tool to deal with this issue
26:49 and to ensure the protection of civilians
26:53 and to result in the de-escalation
26:56 of the current crisis.
26:57 I call on the international community to keep a watch
27:02 that this is effectively implemented.
27:06 Ladies and gentlemen and dear colleagues,
27:10 the immediate imperative is to save lives
27:13 and preserve humanity.
27:16 Rapid and sustained humanitarian access
27:19 and supplies are desperately needed.
27:22 Critical services like health care, water, electricity,
27:25 and communications must be immediately restored in Gaza
27:30 as a lifesaving priority.
27:33 In Gaza, the ICRC has more than 100 staff
27:36 who remain working amid the violence,
27:38 and we have prepositioned lifesaving supplies.
27:41 And recently, through the Rafa crossing,
27:44 we brought in medical supplies and a new team,
27:47 including surgical and weapon contamination experts.
27:52 But stocks are running out, and our surgeons now
27:55 lack anesthesia and even gauze to treat wounded victims.
28:00 We are ready to rapidly scale, given the vast needs,
28:03 but we need to be able to regularly bring
28:06 in large volumes of stocks and have the necessary access
28:10 and safety guarantees.
28:13 The ICRC is working to support communities
28:15 in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel,
28:18 including through our partners, the Palestine Red Crescent
28:21 Society, the Magen David Adam, and other members
28:25 of the movement, and notably the Egyptian Red Crescent,
28:28 to support their essential emergency service work.
28:32 Humanitarian workers in Gaza and Israel
28:35 have showed incredible courage and dedication.
28:40 Tragically, as we have heard, medics, also from the MDA
28:44 and PRCS, as well as UN and other humanitarians,
28:48 have been killed while working to help others.
28:52 I pay tribute to them and call for the urgent protection
28:55 of all civilians, including humanitarian and medical
28:58 personnel and hospitals, in line with international humanitarian
29:04 law.
29:06 The role of a neutral intermediary
29:08 has proven valuable to meet humanitarian needs.
29:12 Through our dialogue with the parties,
29:14 the ICRC has offered practical assistance
29:18 at critical moments.
29:20 On Monday, we accompanied ambulances
29:22 transporting patients in need of urgent medical care
29:24 from Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City to the Rafah border.
29:29 As a trusted neutral actor, the ICRC
29:31 also facilitated the two hostage release operations.
29:35 We continue to call for the immediate release of hostages
29:39 and remain committed to facilitating
29:42 any further release and to visit the hostages.
29:47 But humanitarian aid must not become a fig leaf for failing
29:54 to protect civilian lives.
29:57 The primary responsibility to protect victims of war
30:00 rests on the parties to the conflict.
30:03 These protections must be extended to all civilians,
30:07 including those who remain in Gaza City.
30:09 The north is unlikely to be completely
30:12 emptied of its population, and not all of its buildings
30:15 can be considered military targets.
30:18 It is urgent to start preparing for the return
30:21 to the north for the hundreds of thousands of families
30:24 displaced.
30:26 Respecting IHL now will have a substantial and positive
30:30 impact.
30:32 In the West Bank, the deadly violence against civilians
30:35 continues to escalate, and these people cannot be forgotten
30:39 and their needs and protection must be addressed.
30:43 Without immediate restraint on both sides,
30:46 we are heading for an even deeper humanitarian disaster
30:50 and perpetuating cycles of violence.
30:53 We cannot accept absolute hostility
30:57 to the point of dehumanization of the other side.
31:02 With each passing day, the possibility
31:05 of finding a way back to a dialogue
31:07 and the political solution dwindles.
31:11 We must try not only to reduce human suffering,
31:16 but also to preserve a minimal space in which
31:19 to agree on something that is not achieved
31:22 through military means, but through political discussions.
31:27 I urge states to use their influence
31:29 to ensure IHL is fully respected and implemented.
31:33 The Geneva Conventions are practical.
31:36 Killing civilians and their treatment are prohibited.
31:39 The wounded and sick must be cared for, protected,
31:41 and respected.
31:43 People detained must be treated humanely and with dignity.
31:47 Hostage taking is prohibited, and hostages
31:49 should be immediately released unharmed.
31:53 Civilian infrastructure that people depend on to live,
31:56 including electricity and water networks, must not be targeted.
32:00 Irrespective of any military siege,
32:03 the parties must ensure that civilians have access
32:06 to basic necessities, including medical care.
32:10 We are confronted with a catastrophic moral failing,
32:14 one that the world must not tolerate.
32:19 I urge you to take concrete political steps
32:21 to ensure a sustained humanitarian space,
32:25 protect the special role of neutral actors,
32:28 such as the ICRC, provide adequate funding,
32:31 and to urge respect for the practical implementation
32:35 of the laws of war.
32:37 Thank you.
32:41 -Thank you very much.
32:44 Now I'd like to hand over to Mr. Eglund,
32:47 Norwegian Refugee Council Chairman.
32:49 -Thank you very much, Mr. President, Excellencies.
32:54 We are many non-governmental organizations here today,
32:59 and we have one united message.
33:01 -You were listening to speakers there
33:04 at the Aid Conference for Gaza
33:06 organized by the French President.
33:09 Earlier, we had the President of the International Red Cross,
33:12 who spoke about the need to ramp up humanitarian aid
33:15 in the enclave,
33:16 as well as protect the lives of Palestinians.
33:19 Before that, we had Martin Griffiths,
33:21 who was the UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs,
33:25 who spoke about the urgent need of implementing a ceasefire
33:28 in the enclave.
33:29 We had the French President, of course,
33:30 who opened today's gathering,
33:32 and he started by reiterating Israel's right to defend itself
33:36 and dismissed accusations of so-called double standards,
33:40 something Western countries have been accused of.
33:43 And, of course, France 24's Philip Tell
33:45 was listening to all those speakers
33:48 with me here in the studio.
33:49 Philip, I thought one of the speakers
33:54 who was most difficult to listen to
33:56 was Philippe Lazzarani, who spoke about
33:59 what is going on in Gaza.
34:00 He has actually been inside Gaza,
34:02 so, of course, what he had to say really mattered.
34:05 And he spoke about schools run by the UN's Agency
34:09 for Palestinian Refugees that once had students there
34:13 who were learning, who were laughing,
34:14 and now they're begging for a piece of bread
34:16 and a sip of water.
34:17 -Yeah, it was all heart-wrenching stuff
34:20 and sometimes quite difficult to listen to.
34:22 He said that 99 of the United Nations Relief
34:26 and Works Agency staff had been killed in Gaza
34:29 since the start of the hostilities
34:32 on the 7th of October.
34:34 That was the largest number of deaths
34:37 that the organization has ever suffered in such a short time.
34:40 Then you're right, he talks about this school
34:42 where children were learning, they were happy,
34:44 they were going into class,
34:46 and now they were actually having to try to pay
34:48 for a piece of bread and some water to be able to survive,
34:52 and even saying, "Am I going to die today?"
34:54 to their parents because they're so unhappy
34:57 about the situation and so upset about what's going on.
35:00 Entire neighborhoods raised to the ground
35:03 and calling for action to be taken immediately
35:05 so that children are not used as collateral damage
35:09 and victims of collective punishment.
35:11 All of this from Philippe Lazzarini,
35:13 the Commissioner General of the United Nations
35:17 Relief and Works Agency.
35:18 And another important element that he also said was,
35:21 "There is the problem in Gaza,
35:23 but if there wasn't a problem in Gaza,
35:25 we would be talking much more about the West Bank
35:27 because the West Bank is also boiling.
35:29 There are attacks by settlers against Palestinians,
35:32 and that is something that we are not paying
35:33 enough attention to, and that's why he is concerned
35:36 this could spread out into a much wider conflict."
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