GENEVA: The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, expressed his profound dismay over the Israeli strike on a convoy of ambulances in Gaza on Friday. In a statement, he stated that the ongoing conflict “must stop” to prevent further human suffering.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that one of its ambulances was hit by “a missile fired by the Israeli forces,” just a short distance from the entrance to a hospital in Gaza City. This tragic incident resulted in the loss of 15 lives and left more than 60 individuals wounded.
Antonio Guterres articulated his horror at the situation, saying, “I am horrified by the reported attack in Gaza on an ambulance convoy outside Al Shifa hospital. The images of bodies strewn on the street outside the hospital are harrowing.” The aftermath of the attack depicted a distressing scene, with multiple casualties beside the damaged ambulance, as the hospital itself was overcrowded with civilians seeking refuge from Israeli airstrikes and tending to the wounded.
Israel’s military defended the strike, asserting that it targeted “an ambulance that was identified by forces as being used by a Hamas terrorist cell in close proximity to their position in the battle zone.”
While acknowledging the impact of attacks perpetrated by Hamas in Israel, Guterres emphasized the plight of civilians in Gaza, particularly children and women, who have been enduring a month-long siege, denial of aid, casualties, and displacement from their homes. He urged an immediate cessation of hostilities, stating, “This must stop.”
The UN chief called upon all parties with influence to act to ensure compliance with the rules of war, alleviate the suffering, and prevent the conflict from escalating and engulfing the entire region.
