Oman condemns blockade of Gaza Strip

The Sultanate of Oman condemned the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, warning of the consequences of continuing to use starvation and forced displacement as weapons of war, stressing the need to ensure accountability for these grave violations.

This was set out in a statement delivered on behalf of the Sultanate by Ambassador Omar Alkathiri, Oman's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, before the Security Council during a session on “The Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue”.

Ambassador Alkathiri said that the Middle East has faced various challenges since the founding of the United Nations, most notably the Palestinian issue and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. He added that Gaza, in particular, has become one of the most horrific scenes of humanitarian catastrophe as a result of the brutal actions of the Israeli occupation forces against thousands of innocent civilians.

He warned against international inaction in halting this aggression, describing the daily massacres, mass starvation, and systematic targeting of civilians and vital infrastructure—including hospitals, schools and shelters—as a flagrant violation of all international norms and conventions, and a crime against humanity.

Oman expressed its deep appreciation for the efforts undertaken by UN agencies—foremost among them UNRWA—and their field staff, who continue their humanitarian work under the harshest conditions, risking their lives to deliver relief and medical aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip.

Oman condemned attempts to undermine UNRWA and obstruct its humanitarian mission, calling on the international community to ensure continued funding and support for the agency, to enable it to carry out its vital role in accordance with its UN mandate until a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian refugee issue is achieved.

Oman also stressed the need to provide protection for UN staff to ensure they can continue their work without being obstructed or targeted.

The statement added that the Security Council cannot demand respect for its resolutions on other issues while turning a blind eye to the implementation of its resolutions on the Palestinian cause, particularly Resolution 2735 (2024), calling for an immediate ceasefire.

The Sultanate called on the Security Council to uphold its historic responsibility and adopt a clear resolution calling for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and international protection for the Palestinian people. It also called on the Security Council to recommend granting the State of Palestine full membership in the United Nations as a step toward rectifying a historic injustice that has persisted for over seven decades.

Oman praised the noble mediation efforts undertaken by the Arab Republic of Egypt, the State of Qatar and the United States of America to halt the aggression and establish a lasting ceasefire.

The Sultanate also stated its support for the recovery and reconstruction plan proposed by Egypt in coordination with the State of Palestine and backed by Arab and Islamic countries. The plan represents a glimmer of hope for people who have long suffered from international neglect, displacement and destruction. Oman also commended the efforts of the French Republic and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the ongoing preparations to convene an international peace conference aimed at implementing the two-state solution.

Oman affirmed that the continuation of occupation and settlement activity, and the obstruction of opportunities for a just peace, will inevitably lead to further deterioration and escalation in the region.

Speaking on behalf of Oman, Ambassador Alkathiri said the only path to security and stability in the Middle East lies in ending the Israeli occupation of all Arab territories, withdrawing from the Syrian Golan, restoring Lebanon’s full sovereignty over its land, and compelling the occupation to implement all relevant United Nations resolutions and cease seeking gains from the occupied territories.

In conclusion, Oman stated that the security and stability of the region will only be achieved by recognising the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the right to establish an independent, sovereign state on their own land, based on the borders of  June 4,  1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.

This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.