The United Nations has confirmed that 15 Palestinians have been killed, including 10 civilians in Gaza over the escalation of Territory dispute between Israeli Authorities and the Palestinian Government.
In a Press Briefing on Wednesday, the Deputy Spokesman of the UN Secretary-General, Farhan Haq who disclosed this said, among the civilians killed are three girls, one boy, four women, and two men.
This surge in violence follows over a year of increasing tensions, settler violence, and military raids in the occupied West Bank, this have left the region in a state of constant turmoil, very difficult for families to find basic necessities like food, water and shelter.
The Deputy Spokesman who expressed the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres’ deepest concerns over this escalation, revealed the additional Israeli air strikes, as well as Palestinian rockets fired towards Israel.
According to him, “As of this morning, the UN has confirmed that 15 Palestinians have been killed, including 10 civilians. That’s three girls, one boy, four women, and two men. And our colleagues are verifying or trying to verify reports of additional fatalities.
“Meanwhile, the border crossings with Gaza have been closed. One of the things that is a consequence of that is that has prevented scheduled entry of about 600 truckloads of goods carrying vital items, such as food, medical supplies and fuel.
“And so we’re hoping that that can be resolved soon. And as I pointed out, Mr. Wennesland will brief Security Council by video conference this afternoon in closed consultations”, the deputed said.
Earlier, the UN Secretary-General condemned the civilian loss of life, including that of children and women, which he views as unacceptable and must stop immediately.
In a statement by the Spokesperson while following with deep concern the latest security developments in Gaza, and the ongoing escalation and risk of further loss of life.
Guterres said, “Israel must abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law, including the proportional use of force and taking all feasible precautions to spare civilians and civilian objects in the conduct of military operations.
The Secretary-General also condemned the indiscriminate launching of rockets from Gaza into Israel, which violates international humanitarian law and puts at risk both Palestinian and Israeli civilians.
He urged all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint and to work to stop hostilities immediately, reiterating his commitment to supporting Palestinians and Israelis to resolve the conflict on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.
More than 90 Palestinians and at least 19 Israelis and foreigners have been killed since January. Israel captured the West Bank, along with East Jerusalem, in the 1967 Middle East war.
It has since built large settlements there that are considered illegal by the international community.
