UN secretary general addresses ‘nightmare’ in Gaza
“The nightmare in Gaza is now entering an atrocious, abominable second year. This has been a year of crises. Humanitarian crisis. Political crisis. Diplomatic crisis. And a moral crisis,” Antonio Guterres told the UN.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres speaks during a Security Council meeting
Preventing UNRWA would be ‘terrible blow’ to Gaza
Guterres slammed the killing of journalists and aid workers, saying he wrote Netanyahu to “express profound concern” about a draft legislation that could stop UNRWA from working in Gaza.
“The vast majority of those killed were part of the backbone of humanitarian relief operations in Gaza – UNRWA,” he said. “In the midst of all the upheaval, UNRWA – more than ever – is indispensable. UNRWA – more than ever – is irreplaceable.”
“Operationally, the legislation would likely deal a terrible blow to the international humanitarian response in Gaza,” he said.
‘International law is unambiguous’
Guterres says he “strongly condemns” all violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza and again called for the release of captives held by Hamas.
“International law is unambiguous: civilians everywhere must be respected and protected – and their essential needs must be met, including through humanitarian assistance,” he said. “No place is safe in Gaza, and no one is safe.”
Guterres says Israeli attacks in Lebanon are threatening region
The UN chief has said that the death toll on Lebanon has already surpassed that of the Israeli war in 2006.
“Attacks, including on civilians, are threatening the entire region. Large-scale Israeli strikes deep into Lebanon, including Beirut have killed more than 2,000 people over the last year, and 1,500 in the past two weeks alone,” Guterres said.
“Lebanese authorities report that over 1 million people have been displaced and 300,000 people have fled into Syria.”
UN chief says suffering worst for ‘civilians caught in the middle’
Guterres says the conflict in the region is “getting worse by the hour” and says that the UN’s warnings about the impact of an escalation continue to come true.
“Every air strike, every missile launch, every rocket fired pushes peace further out of reach and makes the suffering even worse for the millions of civilians caught in the middle,” he said.
“That is why we cannot and will not give up on our calls for an immediate ceasefire both in Gaza and Lebanon, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and immediate lifesaving aid to all those who desperately need it,” he added before again calling for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
“All people in the region deserve to live in peace.”
Relatives of the dead who lost their lives in the Israeli army’s attack on a house at Bureij refugee camp mourn during the funeral ceremony after the bodies of the dead were taken from the morgue of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on Tuesday
Students at the Sciences Po University in Paris demonstrate in support of Palestinians
Students hold a giant Palestinian flag in front of the Sciences Po university during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza and Lebanon
French police stand on position in front of the Sciences Po university as students attend a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza and Lebanon
