He UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed “discomfort” about “total blockade” of Gaza announced Israel this Monday, the third day of hostilities between the two sides, and called on the international community to “mobilize urgent humanitarian support” for Palestinian civilians “trapped” in the Strip.
“The humanitarian situation was extremely difficult before these hostilities, and now it can only get exponentially worse. Medical equipment, food, fuel and other humanitarian supplies, as well as access to humanitarian personnel, are desperately needed.” for Gaza, Guterres said at a press conference.
The head of the organization, who called for an end to the attacks on Israel and the Palestinian territories and warned of the human consequences, called on “all relevant parties and actors to allow access to the UN for the delivery of emergency humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.” trapped and helpless in the Gaza Strip.
The special coordinator of the UN deals with the leaders of the region with the aim of “avoiding any spillover to the wider Middle East”, the diplomat pointed out.
He acknowledged that the recent violence stems from “a long-running conflict, with a 56-year occupation with no political end in sight,” and called on the parties to “end the vicious cycle of blood, hatred and polarization.”
Guterres again condemned the attacks Islamist group Hamas against Israeli towns on the outskirts of Gaza and noted that both that group and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad had indiscriminately launched thousands of rockets that reached central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
“I recognize the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people, but nothing can justify these terrorist acts,” which is why “I repeat my call for an immediate end to these attacks and the release of all hostages following these unprecedented attacks,” He said.
The number of dead Israelis is about 800, and the number of wounded is 2,500. “and is expected to grow as the attacks continue”; He also said there are about 100 Israelis, civilians and military, who have been abducted by armed groups who are holding them in Israel and Gaza.
He similarly argued that the UN recognizes Israel’s “legitimate security concerns” and reminded his government that its military operations must comply with humanitarian law, without targeting civilians and their infrastructure.
However, he declared an alert on Israeli bombing of Gaza and addressed reports that Israel is attacking health facilities, residential buildings, mosques and schools housing displaced families in Gaza.
The Palestinian death toll is around 500 and the wounded around 3,000, and “is increasing by the minute as Israeli operations continue,” he added.
At the end of his speech, Guterres argued for a two-state solution as crucial to the long-term stability of Israel and the Palestinian territories and the region.
Source: Panama America
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
