The UN demands an immediate ceasefire from Israel and Hamas
UN Secretary General António Guterres on Thursday reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militias in Gaza, accusing both sides of violating the rules of war with their attacks on civilians.
Guterres intervened at the opening of a plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly – promoted by Palestine and the Arab countries – to address the crisis, amid intense diplomatic efforts to stop hostilities.
“The fighting must stop immediately. I call on all parties to cease hostilities now,” said the UN Chief Secretary General before the Assembly, where for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic, in March 2020, ministers from different countries met in person.
Guterres declared himself “deeply shocked by the continued aerial and artillery bombardment” by the Israeli army on Gaza, a campaign that, he recalled, has claimed the lives of at least 208 Palestinians, including 60 children.
“The continued indiscriminate firing of rockets by Hamas and other militias towards population centers in Israel, which has resulted in 12 deaths, including two children, and hundreds of injuries, is also unacceptable,” it added.
The secretary general recalled that “even wars have rules”, and the protection of civilians is the most important.
“Indiscriminate attacks and attacks against civilians and civilian property are violations of the rules of war. So are attacks against military targets that cause disproportionate loss of civilian life and injuries,” he stressed.
“There is no justification”
In this sense, Guterres insisted that “there is no justification, including the fight against terrorism or self-defense, for the parties to the conflict to abdicate their obligations under international humanitarian law.”
Thus, he urged the Israeli authorities to comply with them, exercising “maximum restraint” and a proportionate use of force..
Guterres demanded Hamas and other militias stop the indiscriminate firing of rockets at population centers in Israel.
The UN Secretary General also referred to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where violence has displaced tens of thousands of people seeking refuge and left them with limited access to food, water and sanitation.
“If there is hell on earth, it is the lives of the children in Gaza,” said Guterres, who confirmed that he is going to launch a humanitarian appeal as soon as possible to raise funds to support the population of the strip..