GAZA CITY: United Nations (UN) leaders representing major agencies issued a joint statement on Monday, demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, where the death toll from Israeli strikes has exceeded 10,000, including over 4,000 children.
The statement comes almost a month into the ongoing relentless Israeli strikes and ground offensive in the besieged enclave, with the UN officials declaring, “Enough is enough. This must stop now.”
The signatories, including Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), and UN aid chief Martin Griffiths, expressed deep concern over the dire situation in Gaza. The UN leaders condemned the ongoing Israeli airstrikes, emphasizing that an entire population was besieged, bombed in their homes, shelters, hospitals, and places of worship, and denied access to essentials for survival.
Griffiths, who had previously called for humanitarian “pauses” in Israel’s bombardment to facilitate aid deliveries, faced criticism from Palestinian envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour. Mansour urged a full ceasefire, emphasizing the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and saving lives.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces targeted a solar panel system at Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital, further worsening the already strained resources for medical facilities. Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a renowned British-Palestinian plastic surgeon volunteering in Gaza, revealed the critical situation, stating that due to fuel shortages, six of Al-Shifa Hospital’s operating rooms had to cease operations.
The escalation of violence continues to impact not only Gaza but also the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces carried out raids and clashed with Palestinian fighters in Hebron, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Jenin, Tubas, and other areas. Additionally, there has been an increase in Israeli brutalities in occupied East Jerusalem.
US Deploys Nuclear Submarine Amid Israeli Aggression in Gaza
Meanwhile, the US Navy has publicly announced the deployment of a nuclear submarine to the Middle East, particularly the US Central Command area of responsibility. This move is being seen by many as a clear message of deterrence to regional rivals, especially Iran, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The deployment of this US Navy nuclear submarine follows the US deployment of two aircraft carriers to the Middle East in response to the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Earlier today, the South African government announced its decision to recall all diplomats from Israel, citing deep concern over the ongoing situation in Gaza and Israeli aggression against innocent Palestinians. The decision was made as a symbolic gesture to express South Africa’s solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a minister in the president’s office, confirmed the recall during a press briefing, stating that the position of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotsercovsky, had become “more and more untenable.” Ntshavheni accused the diplomat of making “disparaging remarks” about South Africans, including government officials, who criticized Israel’s actions in the region.
Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor emphasized that recalling diplomats was a “normal practice,” and the envoys would provide a “full briefing” to the government. The government would then decide whether a continued relationship with Israel could be sustained based on the information provided.
