The United Nations leader repeats his plea for a ceasefire in Gaza and denounces the use of “collective punishment” against Palestinians.
On Monday, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the head of the UN spoke to the press and conveyed their serious worries regarding the alarming number of civilian deaths and dire humanitarian situation in the enclave.
He emphasized the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire as the one solution to address all of these problems.
Release hostages
He remembered the terror attacks that took place on October 7th, carried out by Hamas and other militants against innocent Israeli civilians. He also mentioned the hostage situation and urged for their immediate and unconditional release.
He also urged for a comprehensive inquiry and legal action to be taken against claims of sexual violence perpetrated by Palestinian militants.
In regards to the actions of the Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, Guterres stated that the “attack” had caused extensive damage and an unprecedented number of civilian deaths during his time as Secretary-General.
The punishment of the Palestinian people as a whole cannot be justified. The situation in Gaza is indescribably dire. Safety is nonexistent for anyone in the area.
Humanitarian workers striving to make a positive impact.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reports that 1.9 million people in Gaza, which makes up 85% of the population, have been forced to leave their homes, often more than once. Gaza’s Ministry of Health has recorded over 23,700 fatalities and 60,000 injuries among Palestinians.
152 United Nations employees have tragically lost their lives during the crisis, making it the deadliest event in the history of the Organization.
The leader of the United Nations stated that aid workers are facing immense pressure and lack safety assurances, but are still striving to provide aid within Gaza.
“The barriers to receiving assistance are evident.”
Mr. Guterres enumerated the distinct challenges impeding the delivery of aid into Gaza, as recognized not only by the UN but also by officials around the world who have observed the situation.
He stressed that providing effective humanitarian assistance is not feasible due to the intense, widespread, and continuous bombing, mentioning significant challenges at the border of the enclave.
Essential resources, such as life-saving medical devices and necessary components for fixing water systems and infrastructure, have been denied without proper justification, causing disruptions in the distribution of crucial supplies and the restoration of essential services.
According to Mr. Guterres, if one item is rejected, the lengthy process of obtaining approval must begin again for the entire cargo. He also mentioned other challenges such as restricted access, dangerous routes, and frequent communication outages.
“We require fundamental necessities.”
Emphasizing the importance of the United Nations’ attempts to raise aid, Mr. Guterres urged the involved parties to uphold international humanitarian law, “show regard for and safeguard civilians, and guarantee their basic needs are fulfilled.”
He emphasized the urgent need for a significant and substantial boost in the production and availability of vital commodities. He also stated that these essentials should be accessible to all members of the community in marketplaces.
António Guterres, the Secretary-General, addresses journalists about the current state of affairs in Gaza.
Cauldron of tensions ‘boiling over’
The Secretary-General issued a warning about increasing tensions in the broader Middle East region.
He expressed concerns about the increasing tensions in the Red Sea and surrounding areas, warning that they may become uncontrollable. He also noted that the ongoing exchanges of fire along the Blue Line, which divides the Israeli and Lebanese armies, could lead to a larger escalation between the two countries and have a significant impact on stability in the region.
The UN leader stated that he is greatly concerned about the current situation and feels compelled to deliver a straightforward message to all parties involved.
“Cease the dangerous actions along the Blue Line, reduce tension, and work towards ending hostilities as outlined in Security Council Resolution 1701.”
“Extinguish the fire”
A truce is the only solution to “quell the violence of a larger conflict” as the longer it persists, the higher the chance of heightened tension and miscalculations.
He stated that the situation in Lebanon is not comparable to that in Gaza, and that the ongoing events in Gaza must not be tolerated.
The media was addressed by Secretary-General António Guterres.
The source is from the United Nations news website.
