Kuwait City: Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Tareq Al-Bannai, has reaffirmed the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries' solidarity with the Palestinian people, condemning the Israeli occupation's actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Al-Bannai delivered a statement on behalf of the GCC during the resumed tenth emergency special session of the UN General Assembly, focusing on the Israeli occupation's illegal activities in the occupied Palestinian territories. According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Bannai highlighted the escalating tensions in the region since the last emergency session, with the GCC countries expressing their condemnation of the violence in Lebanon and Palestine. He warned of the serious consequences of such actions and emphasized the responsibility of the UN General Assembly to find a just, permanent, and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue, in line with the UN Charter. The ambassador stressed the importance of protecting regional security and preventing fu rther conflict escalation. On behalf of the GCC, Ambassador Al-Bannai called for action on the Security Council resolution advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, prisoner exchanges, the return of civilians, humanitarian aid delivery, and the withdrawal of occupation forces. He expressed support for efforts aimed at achieving these objectives and acknowledged the contributions of Egypt and Qatar in working towards a resolution. Al-Bannai also addressed the recent ceasefire agreement in Lebanon after a period of intensified Israeli occupation aggression, which resulted in numerous casualties. He expressed hope for the agreement's successful implementation and anticipated a similar resolution to halt the war on Gaza and the attacks on the West Bank. Further, Al-Bannai reaffirmed the GCC's solidarity with the UN's Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), recognizing its critical role in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He reiterated the Kuwaiti Declaration of the 45th GCC Summit, underscoring the Council's steadfast position on the Palestinian cause and the necessity to end the occupation. The ambassador called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, asserting the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over territories occupied since June 1967. He highlighted the efforts of the Saudi-led ministerial committee and the international coalition working towards a two-state solution. Al-Bannai urged the implementation of the two recent General Assembly resolutions adopted during its tenth emergency special session: Resolution 10/23, concerning Palestine's eligibility for full UN membership, and Resolution 10/24, addressing the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on the illegality of the Israeli occupation.
