UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, warning that the Gaza Strip was turning into a “graveyard for Palestinian children.”
Speaking to reporters at the UN headquarters, Guterres stressed the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire, stating that the unfolding catastrophe in Gaza, due to the ongoing Israeli brutalities, demanded immediate action.
“The parties to the conflict—and, indeed, the international community—face an immediate and fundamental responsibility: to stop this inhuman collective suffering and dramatically expand humanitarian aid to Gaza,” Guterres said. “The nightmare in Gaza is more than a humanitarian crisis. It is a crisis of humanity.”
Since October 7, approximately 10,222 innocent Palestinian people have been martyred in the Gaza Strip, including over 4,000 children amidst the relentless Israeli bombardment, according to the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza. Guterres highlighted the critical need for humanitarian aid, emphasizing the severe consequences of fuel shortages, especially for newborns in incubators and patients on life support.
Guterres formally launched a $1.2 billion UN humanitarian appeal to assist 2.7 million innocent Palestinians in the entire Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. He called for a humanitarian ceasefire and urged all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Today, the @UN and our partners are launching a $1.2 billion humanitarian appeal to help 2.7 million people – that’s the entire population of the Gaza Strip and half a million Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem – @antonioguterres pic.twitter.com/BvV3mFF5re
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) November 6, 2023
UN Chief Condemns Israel for Violating International Law in Gaza
He condemned Israel for the clear violations of international humanitarian law during the conflict and reiterated that no party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law. While he did not explicitly name Israel, he condemned “the abhorrent acts of terror”.
Earlier today, United Nations (UN) leaders representing major agencies issued a joint statement, demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, where the death toll from Israeli strikes has exceeded 10,000, including over 4,000 children.
The UN officials stated, “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.
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.
