Country representatives have been commenting on the situation in the Middle East during a special Security Council session at UN headquarters in New York, Al Jazeera reports. Here’s some of what they said:

• Ireland: “What we are witnessing on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank is indicative of a complete disregard for international law, the UN Security Council, and the integrity of the United Nations as an institution. More fundamentally, it is an affront to our humanity and it must end.”

• Iran: “The Security Council must not stay silent. The main threat to peace and stability in the region comes from the terrorist and destabilising actions of the Israeli regime and its main sponsor, the United States.”

• South Africa: “There must be accountability for all of the atrocities, the ongoing genocide, violation of human rights and war crimes committed against the Palestinian people.”

• United States: “Since Hamas’s egregious terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, this Council has been subjected to constant lies and slanders targeting Israel.”