At the initiative of the United States and with the support of Israel, the UN Security Council will convene today (Thursday) for a first-of-its-kind discussion since the Hamas terror attack on October 7. At the center of the session is Resolution 2474, which addresses the return of the remains of missing persons held by hostile parties during armed conflict.
A Historic Moment on the International Stage
The discussion follows an official request submitted by the U.S. delegation to the current Security Council president, the ambassador of Greece. This session represents a key achievement in Israel’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to raise the issue of hostages and missing persons on the international agenda. It follows months of persistent advocacy by Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, who has repeatedly called for global action on the matter.
During the session, Israel is expected to call on the international community to exert direct pressure on Hamas to return the bodies of soldiers and civilians held in Gaza. These include the remains of dozens of IDF soldiers and civilians kidnapped over the years, among them Captain Hadar Goldin, who was abducted and killed during Operation Protective Edge and whose body has been held by Hamas ever since.
A Moving Personal Testimony in New York
As part of the discussion, Robby (Ruby) Chen—the father of abducted soldier Itay Chen—is expected to address the Security Council and share his personal story. Also participating will be Leah Goldin, Hadar Goldin’s mother, who is traveling from Israel especially for the occasion and will join a press statement at UN headquarters ahead of the session.
Ambassador Danon said ahead of the session that convening the Security Council is the result of “a determined and uncompromising diplomatic struggle.” He emphasized that Hamas has turned the abduction and holding of bodies into “a full-fledged industry,” violating the most basic principles of human dignity.
Danon stressed, “Respect for the dead is a sacred value in every religion and every culture,” and stated that Israel is demanding “something basic, moral, and human – to bring our sons and daughters home.” He warned that if the Security Council cannot uphold even this fundamental obligation, “it forfeits its relevance.”
A Clear Demand: End the Coercion of Families
The Security Council session follows another meeting held earlier this week on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. At that meeting, Israel reiterated its stance that humanitarian aid must not fall into the hands of Hamas, alongside a firm demand for the return of hostages and missing persons.
Declarations and Consequences
The current session offers Israel a rare opportunity to present its position at a central international forum. According to Ambassador Danon, this is a moral struggle over human dignity and the rights of bereaved families. “UN declarations must be translated into action – we will not remain silent, and we will not give up until every one of our sons is returned,” he concluded.
