GAZA: Israel has refused to renew the visa of a United Nations staff member and also rejected the visa request of another UN employee as the global body has criticized Israel’s targeting of civilians and hospitals during the war in Gaza.
Israel has always expressed its displeasure of the international body for its criticism of its brutality in Gaza.
Eli Cohen, Israel’s minister of foreign affairs, in a post on X on Monday said Israel will stop working with those who cooperate with Hamas.
He described the UN’s conduct as a disgrace since the war started on October 7. The UN officials have denounced Israel’s targeting of residential areas, schools and hospitals and its restrictions on aid deliveries during a complete siege imposed on Gaza.
As per reports more than 100 journalists, about 270 medical personnel and at least 134 UN staff have been killed in Israeli strikes.
Antonio Guterres repeatedly called for ceasefire in Gaza
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and termed the dire humanitarian crisis. The UN, assistance and rights groups have warned that Palestinians are now facing hunger.
The UN chief has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter formally warning the Security Council of an international threat posed by Israel’s war on Gaza.
Earlier, the UN General Assembly voted for a humanitarian truce several times since the war started, but votes at the UN Security Council have been vetoed by the United States. However, it abstained in the vote on the latest resolution, allowing it to pass on Friday, but the measure has been termed as insufficient.
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Human rights organizations have also criticized Israel for its war strategy terming it collective punishment of Gaza’s 2.3 million people.
According to Gaza health ministry at least 20,674 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in unrelenting Israeli bombardments since October 7.
