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The Security Council Security Council Situation Report 7 November 2023
Situation Report on Matters Pertaining to International Peace and Security
This update complements the background guide published in the AMUN Handbook. The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question is a new topic, which was not included in the Handbook, as such, some background is provided on the situations presented, but representatives are encouraged to read through the linked sources for a fuller picture of the issue. Due to the complexity of the conflict, we have arranged the bibliography and the additional sources list thematically by sub-topic within the greater Israel-Palestine issue.
The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
This Topic Brief is accurate as of 29 October.
On 7 October, Hamas and allied organizations controlling the Gaza Strip launched a coordinated attack against Israel. The attack killed approximately 1,400 Israelis. The Israeli government believes Hamas took approximately 230 people—Israeli citizens and foreign nationals—as prisoners back to Gaza. Many elements of the operation, including an attack on a music festival, appear to have been chosen to inflict civilian casualties. The Israeli government responded with a declaration of war against Hamas and imposed a “total siege” on Gaza. The Israeli government cut off supplies of water, food, electricity and fuel into Gaza. Gaza is heavily reliant on supplies from Israel to ensure provision of food, basic emergency services and sanitation. The Israeli Defense Forces immediately began heavy air strikes against targets inside Gaza. It was widely believed the air strikes were a prelude to a ground invasion of Gaza. However, as of 29 October, Israel has not started a ground invasion of Gaza. Instead, the Israeli military has begun armed incursions—what it describes as raids—into Gaza. It is unknown whether Israel still intends to invade or occupy Gaza.
Hamas responded to the Israeli air strikes by launching rockets against Israeli targets. In addition to the air strikes, the Israeli government ordered Palestinians living in the north of Gaza, principally around Gaza City, to evacuate to the south of Gaza toward the city of Khan Yunis. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, urged the Israeli government to reconsider the evacuation order due to its potentially devastating humanitarian consequences. Secretary-General Guterres noted the evacuation order affected approximately 1.1 million people. By 27 October, over 7,000 Palestinians living in Gaza have been killed by Israeli airstrikes and other causes.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned the Israeli blockade of Gaza, noting that the “imposition of sieges that endanger the lives of civilians by depriving them of goods essential for their survival is prohibited under international humanitarian law.” Following negotiations between the United Nations, Israel, Egypt and other States, on 21 October, approximately 20 trucks with humanitarian aid were permitted to enter Gaza through the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza. The Secretary-General said 100 trucks a day were the minimum number able to meet humanitarian needs. Before the conflict, approximately 500 trucks a day crossed the border at Rafah. So far, the Israeli government refuses to permit fuel to enter Gaza, claiming Hamas will take the fuel.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas prompted the Secretary-General to warn that “we are on the verge of an abyss in the Middle East.” In the West Bank, large protests by Palestinians angry over the Israeli bombings in Gaza resulted in deadly crackdowns from Palestinian security forces during clashes between the security forces and the protestors. Protestors also criticized the governing party of the Palestine Authority, Fatah, for both its failure to establish a viable Palestinian state and to stop the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Additionally, there is a daily but small-scale exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollah, a major political party and militant group in Lebanon, has close relations with Syria and Iran. The Secretary-General noted his concern over the recent exchanges of fire along the Blue Line, the United Nations-patrolled border between Israel and Lebanon. The peacekeeping force in Lebanon, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, reported a peacekeeper was wounded when a shell hit a mission base.
As of 27 October, despite multiple meetings and attempts, the United Nations Security Council has been unable to pass a resolution on this topic. On 26 October, the General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce between Hamas and Israel to permit the delivery of humanitarian aid. On 29 October, United Nations relief agencies reported thousands of Palestinians stormed their warehouses in Gaza to take food and other supplies. The Director of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) Affairs in Gaza, Thomas White, warned the aid convoy system is failing, supplies in the market are running out and civil order is starting to break down.
Due to the dynamic, wide-ranging and sensitive nature of this topic, the AMUN Secretariat is unable to provide all necessary background information in our topic briefs. As a starting point, we encourage representatives to make use of the articles below to best understand the conflict.
Bibliography
The Situation in Gaza
Abdelbary, Mohammed and Abbas Al Lawati (24 October 2023). What is the Rafah crossing, Gazans’ last hope to escape the war, and how does it work? CNN.
Abu Alouf, Rushdi (10 October 2023). ‘Where do we go?’ – Nowhere safe in Gaza as Israeli strikes intensify. BBC News.
Beale, Jonathan (13 October 2023). How would an Israeli ground assault unfold? BBC News.
Gardner, Frank (26 October 2023). ‘Reconnaissance by fire’ – What Israel’s Gaza raid tells us. BBC News.
Gaza aid ready to roll in once final deal reached (19 October 2023). UN News.
Gaza Strip: devastated by conflict and Israel’s economic blockade (12 October 2023). Reuters.
Hutchinson, Bill (19 October 2023). Israel-Hamas conflict: Timeline and key developments. ABC News.
Jobain, Najib, et al. (25 October 2023). UN warns Gaza blockade could force it to sharply cut relief missions as Israeli bombings rise. AP News.
Jobain, Najib, et al. (21 October 2023). Desperately needed aid trickles into besieged Gaza as Egypt’s border crossing opens. AP News via PBS NewsHour.
Kusovac, Zorin (25 October 2023). Analysis: Why hasn’t Israel launched a ground invasion of Gaza yet? Al Jazeera.
UN says Gaza Health Ministry death tolls in previous wars ‘credible’ (27 October 2023). Al Jazeera.
What to know about the deadly Hamas attack on an Israeli music festival (10 October 2023). Al Jazeera.
Yerushalmy, Jonathan (17 October 2023). Crisis in Gaza: why food, water and power are running out. The Guardian.
The Situation in the West Bank
Al Tahhan, Zena (18 October 2023). Palestinian Authority cracks down on protests over Israel Gaza attacks. Al Jazeera.
Hundreds protest in West Bank after Gaza hospital strike (18 October 2023). Agence France-Presse via France24.
The Situation in Lebanon
Burke, Jason (19 October 2023). What is Hezbollah, and how will it influence the Israel-Hamas war? The Guardian.
Chehayeb, Kareem, and Abby Sewell (17 October 2023). 5 Hezbollah fighters are killed as tensions flare along the border between Lebanon and Israel. AP News via PBS NewsHour.
UNIFIL Says Peacekeeper Injured on Lebanese-Israeli Border (29 October 2023) Reuters via VOA News.
The Situation at the United Nations
Besheer, Margaret (11 October 2023). UN Chief: Middle East Conflict Must Not Spread. VOA News.
Borger, Julian (21 October 2023). Aid trucks enter Gaza but UN chief says people need ‘much, much more’. The Guardian.
Farge, Emma (10 October 2023). UN rights chief condemns Israeli ‘siege’ of Gaza, militant’s taking of hostages. Reuters.
Guterres, Antonio (13 October 2023). Why Israel Must Reconsider Its Gaza Evacuation Order.
Regan, Helen, et al. (15 October 2023). Middle East on ‘verge of the abyss,’ UN warns as Gaza suffers and Israel prepares for offensive CNN.
Thousands in Gaza storm UN warehouses; a sign of desperation after weeks-long ‘siege’ (29 October 2023). UN News.
UN General Assembly adopts Gaza resolution calling for immediate and sustained ‘humanitarian truce’ (26 October 2023). UN News.
United Nations (25 October 2023). Security Council Fails to Adopt Either of Two Draft Resolutions Addressing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza.
United Nations (24 October 2023). Amid Increasingly Dire Humanitarian Situation in Gaza, Secretary-General Tells Security Council Hamas Attacks Cannot Justify Collective Punishment of Palestinian People.
United Nations Documents
United Nations, General Assembly (2023). Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations. A/ES-10/L.25.
United Nations, Security Council (2023). Draft Resolution. S/2023/795.
United Nations, Security Council (2023). Draft Resolution. S/2023/792.
United Nations, Security Council (2023). The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. S/PV.9443.
United Nations, Security Council (2023). The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. S/PV.9442.
United Nations, Security Council (2023). Draft Resolution. S/2023/773.
United Nations, Security Council (2023) The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. S/PV.9439.
United Nations, Security Council (2023). Draft Resolution. S/2023/772.
As the Security Council holds meetings on this topic, meeting transcripts and draft resolutions can be found at the UN Security Council Meetings & Outcomes Tables webpage.
Additional Resources:
The Situation in Gaza
Abdelbary, Mohammed and Abbas Al Lawati (24 October 2023). What is the Rafah crossing, Gazans’ last hope to escape the war, and how does it work? CNN.
Al Tahhan, Zena (12 October 2017). Hamas and Fatah: How are the two groups different? Al Jazeera.
Kusovac, Zorin (25 October 2023). Analysis: Why hasn’t Israel launched a ground invasion of Gaza yet? Al Jazeera.
Ott, Haley (25 October 2023). Israel has vowed to “destroy Hamas.” If that happens, who will lead the Palestinians in Gaza? CBS News.
Robinson, Kali (9 October 2023). What is Hamas? Council on Foreign Relations.
UN says Gaza Health Ministry death tolls in previous wars ‘credible’ (27 October 2023). Al Jazeera.
Yerushalmy, Jonathan (17 October 2023). Crisis in Gaza: why food, water and power are running out. The Guardian.
The Situation in the West Bank
Al Tahhan, Zena (18 October 2023). Palestinian Authority cracks down on protests over Israel Gaza attacks. Al Jazeera.
Al Tahhan, Zena (12 October 2017). Hamas and Fatah: How are the two groups different? Al Jazeera.
Ott, Haley (25 October 2023). Israel has vowed to “destroy Hamas.” If that happens, who will lead the Palestinians in Gaza? CBS News.
What is the Palestinian Authority and what is its relationship with Israel? (11 October 2023). Al Jazeera.
The Situation in Lebanon
Burke, Jason (19 October 2023). What is Hezbollah, and how will it influence the Israel-Hamas war? The Guardian.
Chehayeb, Kareem, and Abby Sewell (17 October 2023). 5 Hezbollah fighters are killed as tensions flare along the border between Lebanon and Israel. AP News via PBS NewsHour.
Deliso, Meredith (11 October 2023). What is Hezbollah? Lebanon’s militant group has long been one of Israel’s biggest foes. ABC News.
Robinson, Kali (14 October 2023). What is Hezbollah? Council on Foreign Relations.
The Situation at the United Nations
Guterres, Antonio (13 October 2023). Why Israel Must Reconsider Its Gaza Evacuation Order.
Neuman, Scott (20 October 2023). What is a war crime, and who gets held accountable? Here’s what you need to know. NPR News.
Touma, Rafqa (25 October 2023). What is UNRWA and what has it said about fuel deliveries to Gaza? The Guardian.
United Nations (25 October 2023). Security Council Fails to Adopt Either of Two Draft Resolutions Addressing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza.
United Nations (24 October 2023). Amid Increasingly Dire Humanitarian Situation in Gaza, Secretary-General Tells Security Council Hamas Attacks Cannot Justify Collective Punishment of Palestinian People.
United Nations (18 October 2023). Security Council Fails to Adopt Resolution Calling for Humanitarian Pauses in Israel-Gaza Crisis on Account of Veto by United States.
United Nations (18 October 2023). World ‘at Brink of Abyss That Could Change Trajectory of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict’, Middle East Coordinator Warns Security Council.
United Nations (16 October 2023). With 5 Members in Favour, 4 Against, Security Council Rejects Russian Federation’s Resolution Calling for Immediate Humanitarian Ceasefire in Israel-Palestine Crisis.
UN says Gaza Health Ministry death tolls in previous wars ‘credible’ (27 October 2023). Al Jazeera.
Situation Report on Matters Pertaining to International Peace and Security
This update complements the background guide published in the AMUN Handbook. The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question is a new topic, which was not included in the Handbook, as such, some background is provided on the situations presented, but representatives are encouraged to read through the linked sources for a fuller picture of the issue. Due to the complexity of the conflict, we have arranged the bibliography and the additional sources list thematically by sub-topic within the greater Israel-Palestine issue.
The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
This Topic Brief is accurate as of 29 October.
On 7 October, Hamas and allied organizations controlling the Gaza Strip launched a coordinated attack against Israel. The attack killed approximately 1,400 Israelis. The Israeli government believes Hamas took approximately 230 people—Israeli citizens and foreign nationals—as prisoners back to Gaza. Many elements of the operation, including an attack on a music festival, appear to have been chosen to inflict civilian casualties. The Israeli government responded with a declaration of war against Hamas and imposed a “total siege” on Gaza. The Israeli government cut off supplies of water, food, electricity and fuel into Gaza. Gaza is heavily reliant on supplies from Israel to ensure provision of food, basic emergency services and sanitation. The Israeli Defense Forces immediately began heavy air strikes against targets inside Gaza. It was widely believed the air strikes were a prelude to a ground invasion of Gaza. However, as of 29 October, Israel has not started a ground invasion of Gaza. Instead, the Israeli military has begun armed incursions—what it describes as raids—into Gaza. It is unknown whether Israel still intends to invade or occupy Gaza.
Hamas responded to the Israeli air strikes by launching rockets against Israeli targets. In addition to the air strikes, the Israeli government ordered Palestinians living in the north of Gaza, principally around Gaza City, to evacuate to the south of Gaza toward the city of Khan Yunis. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, urged the Israeli government to reconsider the evacuation order due to its potentially devastating humanitarian consequences. Secretary-General Guterres noted the evacuation order affected approximately 1.1 million people. By 27 October, over 7,000 Palestinians living in Gaza have been killed by Israeli airstrikes and other causes.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned the Israeli blockade of Gaza, noting that the “imposition of sieges that endanger the lives of civilians by depriving them of goods essential for their survival is prohibited under international humanitarian law.” Following negotiations between the United Nations, Israel, Egypt and other States, on 21 October, approximately 20 trucks with humanitarian aid were permitted to enter Gaza through the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza. The Secretary-General said 100 trucks a day were the minimum number able to meet humanitarian needs. Before the conflict, approximately 500 trucks a day crossed the border at Rafah. So far, the Israeli government refuses to permit fuel to enter Gaza, claiming Hamas will take the fuel.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas prompted the Secretary-General to warn that “we are on the verge of an abyss in the Middle East.” In the West Bank, large protests by Palestinians angry over the Israeli bombings in Gaza resulted in deadly crackdowns from Palestinian security forces during clashes between the security forces and the protestors. Protestors also criticized the governing party of the Palestine Authority, Fatah, for both its failure to establish a viable Palestinian state and to stop the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Additionally, there is a daily but small-scale exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollah, a major political party and militant group in Lebanon, has close relations with Syria and Iran. The Secretary-General noted his concern over the recent exchanges of fire along the Blue Line, the United Nations-patrolled border between Israel and Lebanon. The peacekeeping force in Lebanon, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, reported a peacekeeper was wounded when a shell hit a mission base.
As of 27 October, despite multiple meetings and attempts, the United Nations Security Council has been unable to pass a resolution on this topic. On 26 October, the General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce between Hamas and Israel to permit the delivery of humanitarian aid. On 29 October, United Nations relief agencies reported thousands of Palestinians stormed their warehouses in Gaza to take food and other supplies. The Director of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) Affairs in Gaza, Thomas White, warned the aid convoy system is failing, supplies in the market are running out and civil order is starting to break down.
Due to the dynamic, wide-ranging and sensitive nature of this topic, the AMUN Secretariat is unable to provide all necessary background information in our topic briefs. As a starting point, we encourage representatives to make use of the articles below to best understand the conflict.
Bibliography
The Situation in Gaza
Abdelbary, Mohammed and Abbas Al Lawati (24 October 2023). What is the Rafah crossing, Gazans’ last hope to escape the war, and how does it work? CNN.
Abu Alouf, Rushdi (10 October 2023). ‘Where do we go?’ – Nowhere safe in Gaza as Israeli strikes intensify. BBC News.
Beale, Jonathan (13 October 2023). How would an Israeli ground assault unfold? BBC News.
Gardner, Frank (26 October 2023). ‘Reconnaissance by fire’ – What Israel’s Gaza raid tells us. BBC News.
Gaza aid ready to roll in once final deal reached (19 October 2023). UN News.
Gaza Strip: devastated by conflict and Israel’s economic blockade (12 October 2023). Reuters.
Hutchinson, Bill (19 October 2023). Israel-Hamas conflict: Timeline and key developments. ABC News.
Jobain, Najib, et al. (25 October 2023). UN warns Gaza blockade could force it to sharply cut relief missions as Israeli bombings rise. AP News.
Jobain, Najib, et al. (21 October 2023). Desperately needed aid trickles into besieged Gaza as Egypt’s border crossing opens. AP News via PBS NewsHour.
Kusovac, Zorin (25 October 2023). Analysis: Why hasn’t Israel launched a ground invasion of Gaza yet? Al Jazeera.
UN says Gaza Health Ministry death tolls in previous wars ‘credible’ (27 October 2023). Al Jazeera.
What to know about the deadly Hamas attack on an Israeli music festival (10 October 2023). Al Jazeera.
Yerushalmy, Jonathan (17 October 2023). Crisis in Gaza: why food, water and power are running out. The Guardian.
The Situation in the West Bank
Al Tahhan, Zena (18 October 2023). Palestinian Authority cracks down on protests over Israel Gaza attacks. Al Jazeera.
Hundreds protest in West Bank after Gaza hospital strike (18 October 2023). Agence France-Presse via France24.
The Situation in Lebanon
Burke, Jason (19 October 2023). What is Hezbollah, and how will it influence the Israel-Hamas war? The Guardian.
Chehayeb, Kareem, and Abby Sewell (17 October 2023). 5 Hezbollah fighters are killed as tensions flare along the border between Lebanon and Israel. AP News via PBS NewsHour.
UNIFIL Says Peacekeeper Injured on Lebanese-Israeli Border (29 October 2023) Reuters via VOA News.
The Situation at the United Nations
Besheer, Margaret (11 October 2023). UN Chief: Middle East Conflict Must Not Spread. VOA News.
Borger, Julian (21 October 2023). Aid trucks enter Gaza but UN chief says people need ‘much, much more’. The Guardian.
Farge, Emma (10 October 2023). UN rights chief condemns Israeli ‘siege’ of Gaza, militant’s taking of hostages. Reuters.
Guterres, Antonio (13 October 2023). Why Israel Must Reconsider Its Gaza Evacuation Order.
Regan, Helen, et al. (15 October 2023). Middle East on ‘verge of the abyss,’ UN warns as Gaza suffers and Israel prepares for offensive CNN.
Thousands in Gaza storm UN warehouses; a sign of desperation after weeks-long ‘siege’ (29 October 2023). UN News.
UN General Assembly adopts Gaza resolution calling for immediate and sustained ‘humanitarian truce’ (26 October 2023). UN News.
United Nations (25 October 2023). Security Council Fails to Adopt Either of Two Draft Resolutions Addressing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza.
United Nations (24 October 2023). Amid Increasingly Dire Humanitarian Situation in Gaza, Secretary-General Tells Security Council Hamas Attacks Cannot Justify Collective Punishment of Palestinian People.
United Nations Documents
United Nations, General Assembly (2023). Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations. A/ES-10/L.25.
United Nations, Security Council (2023). Draft Resolution. S/2023/795.
United Nations, Security Council (2023). Draft Resolution. S/2023/792.
United Nations, Security Council (2023). The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. S/PV.9443.
United Nations, Security Council (2023). The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. S/PV.9442.
United Nations, Security Council (2023). Draft Resolution. S/2023/773.
United Nations, Security Council (2023) The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. S/PV.9439.
United Nations, Security Council (2023). Draft Resolution. S/2023/772.
As the Security Council holds meetings on this topic, meeting transcripts and draft resolutions can be found at the UN Security Council Meetings & Outcomes Tables webpage.
Additional Resources:
The Situation in Gaza
Abdelbary, Mohammed and Abbas Al Lawati (24 October 2023). What is the Rafah crossing, Gazans’ last hope to escape the war, and how does it work? CNN.
Al Tahhan, Zena (12 October 2017). Hamas and Fatah: How are the two groups different? Al Jazeera.
Kusovac, Zorin (25 October 2023). Analysis: Why hasn’t Israel launched a ground invasion of Gaza yet? Al Jazeera.
Ott, Haley (25 October 2023). Israel has vowed to “destroy Hamas.” If that happens, who will lead the Palestinians in Gaza? CBS News.
Robinson, Kali (9 October 2023). What is Hamas? Council on Foreign Relations.
UN says Gaza Health Ministry death tolls in previous wars ‘credible’ (27 October 2023). Al Jazeera.
Yerushalmy, Jonathan (17 October 2023). Crisis in Gaza: why food, water and power are running out. The Guardian.
The Situation in the West Bank
Al Tahhan, Zena (18 October 2023). Palestinian Authority cracks down on protests over Israel Gaza attacks. Al Jazeera.
Al Tahhan, Zena (12 October 2017). Hamas and Fatah: How are the two groups different? Al Jazeera.
Ott, Haley (25 October 2023). Israel has vowed to “destroy Hamas.” If that happens, who will lead the Palestinians in Gaza? CBS News.
What is the Palestinian Authority and what is its relationship with Israel? (11 October 2023). Al Jazeera.
The Situation in Lebanon
Burke, Jason (19 October 2023). What is Hezbollah, and how will it influence the Israel-Hamas war? The Guardian.
Chehayeb, Kareem, and Abby Sewell (17 October 2023). 5 Hezbollah fighters are killed as tensions flare along the border between Lebanon and Israel. AP News via PBS NewsHour.
Deliso, Meredith (11 October 2023). What is Hezbollah? Lebanon’s militant group has long been one of Israel’s biggest foes. ABC News.
Robinson, Kali (14 October 2023). What is Hezbollah? Council on Foreign Relations.
The Situation at the United Nations
Guterres, Antonio (13 October 2023). Why Israel Must Reconsider Its Gaza Evacuation Order.
Neuman, Scott (20 October 2023). What is a war crime, and who gets held accountable? Here’s what you need to know. NPR News.
Touma, Rafqa (25 October 2023). What is UNRWA and what has it said about fuel deliveries to Gaza? The Guardian.
United Nations (25 October 2023). Security Council Fails to Adopt Either of Two Draft Resolutions Addressing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza.
United Nations (24 October 2023). Amid Increasingly Dire Humanitarian Situation in Gaza, Secretary-General Tells Security Council Hamas Attacks Cannot Justify Collective Punishment of Palestinian People.
United Nations (18 October 2023). Security Council Fails to Adopt Resolution Calling for Humanitarian Pauses in Israel-Gaza Crisis on Account of Veto by United States.
United Nations (18 October 2023). World ‘at Brink of Abyss That Could Change Trajectory of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict’, Middle East Coordinator Warns Security Council.
United Nations (16 October 2023). With 5 Members in Favour, 4 Against, Security Council Rejects Russian Federation’s Resolution Calling for Immediate Humanitarian Ceasefire in Israel-Palestine Crisis.
UN says Gaza Health Ministry death tolls in previous wars ‘credible’ (27 October 2023). Al Jazeera.