NEW YORK CITY: Speaking on behalf of UN chief Antonio Guterres, his chef de cabinet, Courtenay Rattray has called for the violence in the Gaza Strip to end and all sides involved in the conflict to “reach an agreement, now.”
He stated the humanitarian situation in Gaza has become “a moral stain on us all,”.
He said that amid constant reports of grave abuses against Palestinian people in Israeli custody, he reiterated that all captives must be treated humanely and those held without legal cause must be freed, adding this terrible war must end.”
Speaking during a meeting of the UNSC to hold discussion on Palestine, he highlighted the significance of “ensuring that governance is restored in the Gaza Strip under a single, legitimate Palestinian government,” backing for which is “critical.”
Palestine’s permanent envoy at the UN Riyad Mansour alleged Israel of killing innocent people including children, women, humanitarians, journalists and doctors. He said that Israel is defying “every nation on earth” and committing serious violation of human rights in the region.
He said that Israel has made a humanitarian disaster with starvation as its core, hunger, dehydration and the spread of diseases as last arms. He expressed resolve that his people would live “in freedom and dignity on their ancestral soil. He added that they will accept nothing less, will accept nothing else but fulfilling their right.
Moscow holds the rotating presidency of the UNSC this month and the meeting was chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He said an honest conversation is required regarding how best to immediately prevent the bloodshed in Gaza.
Lavrov blamed the US of becoming a direct partner in the war in Gaza “by providing diplomatic cover for Israel’s acts and supplying it with weapons, just as it has done with the situation in Ukraine.
He said that if Washington was to end its backing, the bloodshed would stop but it (US) is either unwilling to do so. The Russian top diplomat said that it seems its aim is not saving human lives but several maneuvers that would help to score points during the election drive.
