The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, affirmed this Monday that the “nightmare” in Gaza is “a crisis of humanity”, where “no one is safe”, revealing that more journalists have died in four weeks than in any other conflict. of the last 30 years.
Speaking to reporters at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, Guterres stated that Gaza is becoming “a children’s graveyard” and said he was “deeply concerned” by the “clear violations of international humanitarian law.” on the terrain.
“The intensification of the conflict is shaking the world, the region and, most tragically, destroying so many innocent lives. The Israel Defense Forces’ ground operations and continuous bombings are hitting civilians, hospitals, refugee camps , mosques, churches and UN facilities, including shelters. No one is safe,” he said.
In addition to the record number of journalists killed in four weeks, the secretary-general also said that more United Nations humanitarian workers have been killed than in any comparable period in the organization’s history.
At the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) alone, 89 workers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the Israeli offensive in the enclave.
“Let me be clear: no party in an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law,” he stressed, reiterating his “total condemnation of the abhorrent acts of terrorism perpetrated by Hamas” on October 7 and repeating calls for the immediate release and unconditional and security. of hostages held in Gaza.
Guterres also noted that the Islamist group Hamas and other militants continue to use civilians as human shields and launch rockets indiscriminately into Israel.
“Nothing can justify the deliberate torture, death, injury and kidnapping of civilians. The protection of civilians must be paramount,” he stressed.
The former Portuguese Prime Minister stressed that the unfolding catastrophe makes the need for a humanitarian ceasefire “more urgent with every passing hour.”
According to the UN leader, both the parties to the conflict and the international community have an immediate and fundamental responsibility to end this “inhuman collective suffering” and “dramatically expand humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
“The way forward is clear: a humanitarian ceasefire. Now. That all parties respect all their obligations under international humanitarian law. Now. The unconditional release of the hostages in Gaza. Now. The protection of civilians, “Hospitals, UN facilities, shelters, and schools. Now,” he said.
“More food, more water, more medicine and, of course, fuel (…) now. Unrestricted access to deliver supplies to all people in need in Gaza. Now. And an end to the use of civilians as human shields. Now” None. These calls must be conditional on others. And for all this we need more financing, now,” he insisted.
At the same time, the UN chief said he was deeply concerned about the rise of anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim intolerance around the world, and called for an end to hateful rhetoric and provocative actions.
The secretary general also addressed the possibility of the conflict spreading throughout the region, indicating that a spiral of escalation is already being seen from Lebanon and Syria to Iraq and Yemen.
“This escalation must stop,” he urged.
Guterres concluded his speech by advocating a two-state solution, “in which Israelis and Palestinians live in peace and security.”
More than 10,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the Israel Defense Forces began its campaign of attacks in response to attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, according to the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, controlled by the Islamist movement, which reports the deaths of more than 4,100 children.
The information disseminated by Hamas, an organization considered terrorist by the European Union (EU) and the United States, has not been independently confirmed.
Palestinian authorities also raised to 155 the number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, caused by fire from Israeli forces and attacks by settlers, since October 7, when Hamas carried out attacks against Israel that left almost 1,400 dead and more than 240 people kidnapped.
Source: TSF
