Bangladesh condemns ongoing atrocities, high death toll in Gaza

Bangladesh has expressed grave concern about ongoing atrocities and the death toll in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Bangladesh’s permanent representative to the UN, Muhammad Abdul Muhith, voiced the concern on Wednesday, when the ongoing 10th Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted an important resolution, affirming the recent advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on July 19 that declared the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territory illegal.

The resolution was tabled by Palestine and was co-sponsored by 53 countries, including Bangladesh.

The adoption was through a vote, with 124 countries in favour and 14 against, with 43 abstentions. As a co-sponsor, Bangladesh voted in favour. The resolution, in light of the recent ICJ verdict, calls upon Israel to end its unlawful presence in Palestine, the first step of which to end its military campaign in Gaza.

The resolution also calls for, among others, the establishment of an international mechanism for reparation for all damage, loss, or injury arising from the internationally wrongful acts of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

It also requests the UN Secretary-General to present a report on the implementation of the resolution.
The resolution also calls for ensuring accountability for the atrocity crimes committed by Israel, especially in light of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians.

Ambassador Muhith welcomed the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice as a historic one and called upon all member states to abide by this.

He also expressed Bangladesh’s grave concern about the ongoing atrocities and high death toll in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire referring to the UN Security Council resolution 2728.

He emphasized that the two-state solution, based on the pre-1967 border of the Palestinian state, is the only pathway for achieving sustainable peace in the Middle East.

He appreciated the UN Secretary-General and UN Human Right High Commissioner’s statements concerning the grave humanitarian and human rights situation in Gaza.