UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza, condemning the Israeli bombardments in Gaza and they cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
Speaking during a UN Security Council meeting on a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, Guterres highlighted the dire situation faced by the people of Gaza and urged the international community to take decisive action.
“The people of Gaza are looking into the abyss. The international community must do everything possible to end their ordeal. I urge the council to spare no effort to push for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for the protection of civilians and for the urgent delivery of life-saving aid,” Guterres stated.
He expressed grave concern about the challenges faced by UN agencies and their partners in reaching those in need due to intense Israeli bombardments, Israeli restrictions on movement, fuel shortages, and interrupted communications. The Secretary-General emphasized that Gazans are running out of food, and the World Food Programme (WFP) stands ready to scale up its operations if given effective access to all people in need.
Unprecedented Threat to UN Staff in Gaza
Highlighting the unprecedented threat to the safety and security of UN staff in Gaza, Guterres revealed that more than 130 colleagues have lost their lives, marking the largest single loss of life in the history of the organization. Despite the dangers, he reiterated the UN’s commitment to delivering humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza and paid tribute to the heroic humanitarian aid workers who persist in their efforts.
Guterres warned of the spillover effect of the conflict into the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, emphasizing the serious risk of aggravating existing threats to international peace and security. He linked the potential collapse of the humanitarian system to the lack of safety and security for UN staff in Gaza, coupled with the nature and intensity of military operations hindering access to those in desperate need.
The UN Security Council is set to vote on the resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter earlier in the week, formally warning the body of the global threat arising from Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
