UN Security Council debates Gaza war as members call for urgent aid and disagree on ceasefire language

The United Nations Security Council held an open ministerial debate on Oct. 24 that centered on the spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza, persistent hostage‑taking, and whether the council can agree on unified language calling for a ceasefire and scaled humanitarian access.

Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres told the council the situation was "growing more dire by the hour," warned that UN facilities were sheltering more than 600,000 Palestinians and said UN fuel supplies for Gaza could run out "in a matter of days." He condemned the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas and called repeatedly for all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and for "an immediate humanitarian ceasefire." (Antonio Guterres, Secretary‑General)

The representative of the Observer State of Palestine, identified in the transcript as Hiyad Al Maliki, called for the council to "stop the killing" and accused Israel of conducting "massacres" and collective punishment against Palestinian civilians; he urged immediate cessation of Israeli operations, international protection for Palestinians and accountability measures under international law (statement by the Observer State of Palestine).

Israel's foreign minister, Eli Cohen, condemned the Oct. 7 assault as "a brutal massacre," recounted hostage cases present in the chamber and urged immediate access by the International Committee of the Red Cross; he described Hamas as a terrorist organization and said the response necessary to prevent future attacks must be decisive. (Eli Cohen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States "unequivocally condemn[s] Hamas's barbaric terrorist attack," affirmed Israel's right to defend itself while insisting on the need to protect civilians, and described a U.S. draft resolution that "sets out practical steps" the council can take. Blinken also said the United States had committed an initial $100,000,000 in humanitarian assistance for Palestinians. (Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State)

Several other members urged immediate, large‑scale humanitarian access and protection for civilians. China, Russia and numerous other delegations emphasized the need for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire; Russia said the "key point" was a swift ceasefire and proposed an alternative draft resolution, while Brazil (the council president) and France stressed humanitarian corridors, protection of civilians and the long‑term aim of a two‑state solution.

Speakers offered differing emphases: some delegations foregrounded unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and the need to degrade its capabilities before considering a ceasefire; others prioritized an immediate cessation of hostilities and unimpeded aid delivery, warning that further delay risks a regional conflagration. Several speakers cited casualty and displacement figures reported by national or U.N. sources during the briefing; those figures were presented as reported by the speakers and the agencies they cited.

The council did not take a vote during the session recorded in the transcript. The meeting was suspended by the president "until 3 p.m.," with additional speakers remaining on the list.

The debate underscored deep divisions on how to balance humanitarian imperatives, protection of civilians and accountability for the Oct. 7 attacks, and left open the question of whether the Security Council can converge on language and measures acceptable to all permanent and elected members.

Meeting suspended until 3 p.m.