The United Nations Secretar-General, Antonio Guterres has said that the people of Gaza need continuous aid delivery at a level that corresponds to the enormous needs, adding that aid must be delivered without restrictions.
Guterres who disclosed this at the UN Security Council on Tuesday said the relentless bombardment of Gaza by Israeli forces, the level of civilian casualties, the wholesale destruction of neighborhoods continue to mount and are deeply alarming.
UN Chief who had earlier condemned unequivocally the horrifying and unprecedented 7 October acts of terror by Hamas in Israel, saying nothing can justify deliberate killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians – or the launching of rockets against civilian targets.
According to him, “The situation in the Middle East is growing more dire by the hour. The war in Gaza raging and risks spiralling throughout the region. Divisions are splintering societies. Tensions threaten to boil over.
“At a crucial moment like this, it is vital to be clear on principles — starting with fundamental principle of respecting, protecting civilians. All hostages must be treated humanely and released immediately and without conditions”, he said.
Guterres recognized the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum, adding that the Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation.
“They have seen their land steadily devoured by settlements and plagued by violence; their economy stifled; their people displaced and their homes demolished. Their hopes for a political solution to their plight have been vanishing.
“But the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas. And those appalling attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people”.
He called on Council members to demand that all parties should uphold and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law; take constant care in the conduct of military operations to spare civilians; and respect and protect hospitals.
“Respect the inviolability of UN facilities which today are sheltering more than 600,000 Palestinians. The relentless bombardment of Gaza by Israeli, level of civilian casualties, and the wholesale destruction of neighborhoods continue to mount and are deeply alarming”.
He mourned and honoured the dozens of UN colleagues working for UNRWA confirmed that, at least 35 and counting, killed in bombardment of Gaza over the last two weeks. I owe to their families condemnation of these and many other similar killings.
“The protection of civilians is paramount in any armed conflict. Protecting civilians can never mean using them as human shields. It’s does not mean ordering more than one million people to evacuate to the south, where there is no shelter, no food, no water, no medicine and no fuel, and then continuing to bomb the south itself.
He saluted our UN colleagues and humanitarian partners in Gaza working under hazardous conditions and risking their lives to provide aid to those in need. They are an inspiration.
To ease epic suffering, make the delivery of aid easier and safer, and facilitate the release of hostages, I reiterate my appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire”.
“Israelis must see their legitimate needs for security materialized, and Palestinians must see their legitimate aspirations for an independent State realized, in line with United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements.
Guterres who made it clear on principle of upholding human dignity, said, “Polarization, dehumanization are being fueled by a tsunami of disinformation. We must stand up to forces of antisemitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and all forms of hate”.