Guyana’s UN representative calls for permanent Gaza ceasefire, end to West Bank violence

Guyana has once again reaffirmed its support for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, urging the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take decisive action to end the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Speaking at a Security Council meeting on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”, Deputy Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador Trishala Persaud stressed the urgency of diplomatic intervention and unwavering commitment to international law.
Guyana also called on the Security Council to exert its influence to ensure that negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire continue, with Ambassador Persaud emphasising the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, despite some relief efforts following the temporary ceasefire.
“This council must exert every effort to ensure that the parties continue the negotiations towards a permanent ceasefire. In the same vein, it is imperative for the council to take action to stop the spiralling violence being perpetrated by the occupying power in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Mr President, we have seen the respite afforded hundreds of thousands of Palestinians through the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza.”
“We have taken note for example that over 57,000 metric tons of food was brought into Gaza since the ceasefire, supporting more than 1.8 million people with full rations of food parcels. Notwithstanding some improvements, we are concerned that thousands still cannot access adequate shelter. Many sick and seriously wounded are unable to access the care they need, owing to a decimated health care system,” Persaud said.
On January 19, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza went into effect, paving the way for Hamas to release a total of 33 Israeli hostages—including the remains of eight deceased individuals—in exchange for the release of over 1,000 Palestinian detainees. Israel also committed to withdrawing from densely populated areas in Gaza and allowing a significant increase in humanitarian aid to enter the territory.
According to the UNSC, while the ceasefire has largely held since it went into effect, the parties have repeatedly accused each other of violating its terms, with Hamas alleging that Israel has blocked the delivery of essential humanitarian items such as prefabricated homes, and Israel criticising Hamas for staging the staggered hostage releases in degrading public ceremonies.
As the first phase of the agreement is set to expire on 1 March, Ambassador Persaud to stress the need to agree on the terms of the second phase, which would establish a permanent ceasefire, during which Israel would fully withdraw from Gaza and Hamas would release all remaining hostages in exchange for additional detainees.
In fact, the Guyanese UN representative did not mince words in denouncing Israel’s continued military operations and settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and urged Israel to fulfil its international obligations and cease the violence that has led to the displacement and suffering of thousands of Palestinians.
“Guyana urges the parties to fully abide with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law. We call for the unconditional and dignified release of all hostages and Palestinians detained in Israel without charge. Guyana also emphasizes the obligations to treat hostages and detainees with respect and dignity and stresses that they should be allowed visits by the Red Cross”.
“There must be full accountability for all the atrocities perpetrated during this war including for the taking of hostages, the killing of civilians, the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of persons and for the use of starvation as a weapon of war,” she added.
While acknowledging the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, Guyana warned that the escalating violence in the West Bank could lead to further catastrophe. The international community, Persaud urged, must act collectively to prevent further displacement, death, and destruction in the region.
Reaffirming Guyana’s position, Persaud stressed that a sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be rooted in the two-state solution.