The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and warned that the war could spread in the region.

A UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy addressing the United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting Tuesday on the situation in the Middle East, said armed extremist groups operating in the region will “make every effort to exploit this conflict to achieve their destructive agendas”.

Reem Al Hashimy said continuous escalation of Israel’s bombing of the Gaza strip confirms that every delay in ending the war means more casualties and destruction.

During today's UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, #UAExUNSC demanded:

➡️ An immediate and sustainable ceasefire because every delay in ending this war means more casualties and destruction
➡️ The delivery of… pic.twitter.com/eQdjQARGrW
— UAE Mission to the UN (@UAEMissionToUN) October 24, 2023

Hashimy referred to growing tensions in the region “including in southern Lebanon, the occupied Syrian Golan, and the Red Sea.”

“An unchecked slide into regional war risks ominous outcomes that will not only put regional security at stake, but they could extend beyond to affect stability around the world.”

Saudi Arabia slams global apathy on Palestinian crisis at UN Security Council

Saudi Arabia has voiced its disappointment with the international community’s perceived inertia in resolving the Palestinian crisis, strongly criticizing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for its failure to fulfill its role in maintaining global peace and security.

The remarks came during a high-level discussion at the UNSC on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan participated in the session on Tuesday, convened at the invitation of the Brazilian foreign minister, who currently presides over the UNSC for the month.

The Saudi foreign minister unequivocally condemned the targeting of civilians by any party, stating, “The Kingdom condemns unequivocally the targeting of civilians by any party. It has called for an immediate cessation of escalation, killing, the release of hostages, and compliance with international conventions and laws.”

He said: “The Kingdom’s leadership has exerted intensive efforts in engaging with friendly nations to find an urgent and practical solution to halt the escalation and put an end to the cycles of deadly violence.”