NEWYORK – Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN has warned of possible escalation of the Israel-Hamas war into the Middle East region.
Ambassador Martin Kimani shared a video on X, taking note of the tension in the security chamber and warning that “war in underway”.
“A tense and crowded Security Council chamber just before the open debate on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. War is underway. Wisdom is needed and the lessons of history learned to stop it from escalating into a regional conflagration,” Ambassador Kimani posted on Tuesday.
The envoy made the post ahead of the UNSC quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” chaired by Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland, and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) Lynn Hastings were the expected briefers.
It is the fourth time the Security Council members were convening to discuss the agenda item since the October 7 attack against Israel by Hamas, and the resulting retaliatory attacks.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday called on UN Security Council member states to use their leverage to stop the Israel-Hamas war from expanding, urging them in particular to warn Iran that any involvement would be met with consequences.
According to CNN reports, the humanitarian crisis is deepening for the 2.2 million people trapped inside Gaza, with a doctor at the largest hospital warning it “will become a mass grave” if fuel runs out.
On Tuesday, Israel Defense Forces’ chief of staff said efforts will be made to provide access to fuel in Gaza, but that it would “not allow” it to reach Hamas.
At least 2,000 children have been killed in Gaza over 17 days, according to one aid agency. They are among the more than 5,700 people killed in the Israel bombardment, according to Palestinian health officials.
According to figures provided by Israeli authorities cited by OCHA, the Hamas-led attack has resulted in the killing of approximately 1,400 Israeli and foreign nationals and the wounding of more than 4,900 others. Israel Defence Forces say more than 200 people remain hostages.
Figures provided by Palestinian officials in Gaza cited by OCHA indicate that more than 4,600 Palestinians have been killed and over 14,200 wounded in connection with the airstrikes. More than 1,000 people are presumed to be dead or trapped under the rubble, with OCHA noting that “entire neighbourhoods have been destroyed”.
On October 9, the Israeli authorities ordered “a full siege” of the Gaza Strip, stopping the provision of power, food, gas, and water. (While Israel disengaged from Gaza in 2005, the territory has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade for over 16 years.)
