Calling Security Council for convening an urgent briefing to condemn Hamas – Letter from Israel (S/2024/647)

01 September 2024

Identical letters dated 1 September 2024 from the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council

Last night, the bodies of six Israeli hostages – Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sergeant Ori Danino – held in Hamas’ tunnels in Gaza for over 10 months were recovered by the Israel Defense Forces. They suffered for almost 11 months, as did their families and loved ones, with no sign of life being communicated, nor access granted to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

These innocent people were brutally executed just a few days ago by Hamas terrorists. Their vile and heinous murders have outraged Israel and its people and should equally shock the conscience of the world.

As our nation mourns the loss of these six beautiful lives, I call upon the Security Council to urgently convene a briefing to condemn Hamas in the strongest possible terms and to address the dire situation of the 101 hostages still held in captivity in Gaza. Despite the passage of nearly 11 months since the massacre of over 1,200 Israelis on 7 October, the Council has yet to condemn Hamas or act decisively for the hostages.

Three months ago, on 27 May, with full backing from the United States, Israel agreed to a hostage release deal. Hamas refused. Even after the United States updated the deal framework on 16 August, Israel agreed and Hamas again refused. In recent days, as Israel has been engaged in intensive negotiations with the mediator in a supreme effort to reach a deal, Hamas continues to steadfastly refuse all proposals.

The Security Council must not delay in taking action.

I respectfully request that the present letter be circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) Danny Danon

Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations