New York: Europe and the Arabs
The Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed his deep sorrow over the announcement yesterday that Israel will begin a complete siege of the Gaza Strip and will not allow anything to enter the Strip, whether electricity, food, or fuel. According to what was stated in the United Nations daily news bulletin, a copy of which we received on Tuesday morning
He said that the humanitarian situation in Gaza was very difficult before these hostilities, and now it will deteriorate significantly.
An appeal for relief to reach Gaza
António Guterres stressed the need for medical equipment, food, fuel and other humanitarian supplies, in addition to the need to ensure that relief workers reach those in need in the Strip.
He stressed the need to facilitate the delivery of relief and basic supplies to Gaza, and said that the United Nations will continue its efforts to provide assistance to respond to the needs.
The Secretary-General urged all parties and stakeholders to allow the United Nations access to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians stranded and helpless in the Gaza Strip. He appealed to the international community to mobilize immediate humanitarian support for this effort.
The violence did not come out of nowhere
Guterres stated that he and the UN Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process are communicating with the leaders of the region to express concern and anger and to strengthen efforts to avoid the spread of the conflict to the wider region.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations stressed the importance of looking at the long-term horizon and avoiding actions that cannot be undone, which strengthens extremists and destroys any prospects for achieving lasting peace.
He said: “These recent acts of violence do not come out of nowhere. In fact, they arose from a long-term conflict with a 56-year occupation with no political end in sight. It is time to end this vicious cycle of bloodshed, hatred and polarization. Israel must see to its legitimate needs.” “For security to be embodied, and for the Palestinians to see a clear possibility of establishing their state.”
The Secretary-General of the United Nations said that he recognized the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people and the legitimate security concerns of Israel, but stressed his rejection of terrorist acts and stressed the need to ensure the protection of civilians and work to prevent the conflict from spreading to the wider region.
In a press conference on recent developments in the Middle East, António Guterres renewed his condemnation of the “horrific attacks” carried out by Hamas and others against Israeli towns and villages, which led to the death of more than 800 Israelis and the wounding of more than 2,500.
Stop the attacks and release the hostages
He pointed to reports that armed groups detained more than 100 Israeli civilians and soldiers, including women, children and the elderly.
He said that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group fired thousands of random rockets that reached central Israel.
The UN Secretary-General said that he recognizes the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people, but nothing justifies “these acts of terrorism, killing, maiming and kidnapping of civilians.” He renewed his call to stop these attacks and release all hostages.
In the face of these unprecedented attacks, Guterres said that Israeli air strikes bombed Gaza. He expressed deep concern about reports that more than 500 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in Gaza and more than 3,000 people were injured.
Compliance with international humanitarian law
The Secretary-General added that he recognized legitimate Israeli security concerns, but reminded Israel that “military operations must be conducted in strict compliance with international humanitarian law.”
He stressed the need to respect and protect civilians at all times, and not to target civilian infrastructure at all.
He pointed to reports that Israeli shells bombed health facilities inside Gaza, a several-story residential tower, and a mosque. Two UNRWA schools housing displaced families in Gaza were also bombed.
Guterres said: "About 137,000 people are taking shelter in UNRWA facilities at the present time, and the number is increasing as the violent bombing and air strikes continue."
He said that long-term stability will only be achieved through negotiated peace, which achieves the legitimate national aspirations and security of Palestinians and Israelis alike and the vision of a two-state solution in accordance with United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements.