Barran Press
The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Monday, July 22, 2024, at the request of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, to discuss a drone attack on Tel Aviv claimed by the Houthi group, a group internationally designated as a terrorist organization. The attack, which occurred on July 19, resulted in the death of one Israeli civilian and injuries to four others.
The meeting heard statements from Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and General Michael Berry, Head of the UN Mission to Monitor the Hudaydah Agreement.
DiCarlo condemned the attack, stating that the drone had struck a residential building in a densely populated area of Tel Aviv, killing one Israeli civilian and injuring ten others. She also highlighted the Houthi's continued attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, despite UN Security Council resolutions 2722 (2024) and 2739 (2024) aimed at securing navigation in the region.
DiCarlo expressed concern over the escalation of the conflict, emphasizing the real danger of a destructive regional escalation. She called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages.
The US Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, condemned the Houthi attack, stating that the group was backed by Iran and that Israel had the right to defend itself. He accused the Houthis of being a terrorist group and stated that any member of the council that did not condemn the attack was complicit in supporting them.
The UK, France, Ecuador, Japan, and South Korea also condemned the attack. The French Ambassador called on the Houthis to immediately cease their attacks and engage in political negotiations in Yemen, warning that their escalation could ignite the entire region.
The Russian Ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, while condemning any attack on civilians, criticized the Western powers for calling the meeting, arguing that Israel's actions in Gaza, including the killing of civilians and aid workers, were not addressed by the Security Council. He accused the Western powers of double standards.
The attack on Tel Aviv marked the first time the Houthis had claimed responsibility for an attack on Israel, which responded by launching airstrikes on the port of Hudaydah in Yemen, targeting fuel tanks, a power station, and other facilities.
The Houthi attack and subsequent Israeli retaliation have raised serious concerns about the escalation of the conflict in the region and the potential for a wider war.