United Nations, January 23, 2025: Pakistan has demanded strict accountability for the heinous crimes Israeli forces have committed against children of Gaza in utter violation of International Humanitarian Law, the Geneva Conventions, the Convention on the Rights of Child and the Convention on Genocide, stating that doing so is essential to restore international legitimacy. Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, told the 15-member UN Security Council during a briefing on the plight of children of Gaza that “we must try to ensure that such brutal slaughter of children never happen again.” Ambassador Munir Akram questioned the argument that seeks to justify the provocation, and said that Israel’s unrelenting and indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population in Gaza for 15 sustained months with one pause cannot be justified at any cost. “There are complaints about 7th of October but compare that with the devastation that has been visited on the people of Gaza. Does 7th of October justify what has been done to the children of Gaza. Can it ever be justified?,” he asked. He reminded the international community that “International humanitarian Law is crystal clear that no matter what the provocation, the forces of States are prohibited from attacking civilian structures or even structures where there may be civilians that could suffer as a result of these attacks.” This principle, he said, has to be upheld if we are, today and in the future, to be able to contain the consequences of wars and conflicts on innocent people. “46,000 people killed — most of them women and children. How can this be justified?” he asked. Ambassador Akram said that among the many tragedies faced by the Palestinians, “the suffering of children in Gaza stands out as a black mark on humanity. He said not only those who bombed children in Gaza, not only those who provided weapons that were used to kill children but all of us were responsible for what happened to children. Referring to the Security Council, which “remained frozen” for 15 months, he said, “I am glad I was not on the Security Council last year and that I come on the Council at the time when the ceasefire has been achieved.” While expressing his concerns at the Israeli threats of restarting the conflict again, the Pakistan UN envoy said that Israel needs to be held back. He asked the Security Council to take cognizance of what is happening in the West Bank. Pakistan demanded to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid and urged a quick response to address the rising risk of disease, water scarcity, and scarcity of food. He said that all borders crossings must be opened and UNRWA’s continued operation must be ensured by the international community and this Security Council. “We will need every construction plan to be implemented immediately because the Palestinian people are being asked to return to their homes. But look at the homes, there are no homes. Everything has been devastated. Where will they go for shelter?” Concluding his statement, Ambassador Munir Akram said that the Secretary-General’s Report on Children and Armed Conflict finally listed the Israel Defence Forces. He said that the Security Council’s mechanism on Children and armed Conflict should serve as a vital tool for scrutinizing IDF’s actions and to ensure justice and accountability for the Palestinian children. “…..it (UNSC’s mechanism) should continue to report objectively and comprehensively on the plight of children affected by Israel’s war in Gaza