As Israel’s war in Gaza reaches its 600th day, UN Middle East envoy Sigrid Kaag told the Security Council that Palestinians in Gaza “deserve more than survival,” highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis and calling for urgent international action.
Kaag described the deteriorating conditions in Gaza as “manmade,” with civilians enduring unimaginable suffering amid a prolonged Israeli blockade and minimal aid access. “Death is their companion,” she said, emphasizing that recent aid deliveries are merely a lifeboat after the ship has already sunk.
She warned that without resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the worsening situation in the West Bank, there can be no lasting peace in the region. Kaag urged support for a two-state solution and pointed to an upcoming international conference in June as a crucial opportunity to reignite peace efforts.
She concluded with a powerful reminder that behind every casualty is a human story: “All have a name, all had a future, all had dreams and aspirations.”
