Vildan Kabasakal
Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), pointed out the seriousness of the situation in Gaza, “We cannot allow what we see in Gaza to be repeated in Lebanon, and the situation in Gaza to continue” he said. (AA)
Guterres made a statement to the press about the developments in Gaza since October 7, 100 days.
Guterres, who demanded the release of all prisoners, also stated that the alleged sexual violence committed by Hamas must be investigated.
“Nothing can justify killing, injuring, kidnapping, or launching rockets against civilians” Guterres said.
Guterres pointed out that the attacks of Israeli forces on Gaza have been going on for 100 days, saying, “The destruction caused by the attacks and the number of civilians killed were unprecedented in my time as Secretary General.
“Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people”
Guterres stressed, “Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people” underlining that the situation in Gaza is too bad to be expressed in words.
Stating that no place is safe in Gaza and no one is safe, Guterres warned, “The people who are being traumatized are being pushed into restricted areas that are crowded in a dangerous dimension in the south.
“I am deeply concerned about the clear violation of international humanitarian law in Gaza”
Guterres pointed out that life-saving help does not reach the people in need at the necessary level, and that “The shadow of hunger, along with disease, foodlessness and other health risks, is spreading fear to the people of Gaza. I am deeply concerned about a clear violation of international humanitarian law in Gaza” he stressed.
Guterres underscored that “security” is a prerequisite for effective humanitarian aid delivery, and also pointed to the importance of resumption of its business activities.
Guterres noted that UN personnel and partners would not effectively provide humanitarian assistance while the “intensive, widespread and brutal” bombing continued, adding that the lives of employees were also at risk.
“Since October 7, 152 UN personnel have been killed in Gaza. This is the biggest loss of our organizational history in a single event” he shared.
Guterres said that humanitarian operations are also being installed on the Gaza border with large obstacles, adding that the entry of vital materials and equipment is being blocked “without explanation.
Guterres said that when a single material is rejected, the approval process for the entire cargo begins all over again and the entry of basic needs and services is blocked.
On the other hand, Guterres said that distributions of humanitarian aid in Gaza face significant obstacles and pointed out that access to the north of Gaza, where there are hundreds of thousands of people.
Guterres said, “The human notifications used to ensure the safety of humanitarian operations are not respected” and that communication and power outages have created problems during deployment.
Noting that the UN wants to increase humanitarian aid and that some basic conditions must be met for it, Guterres said, “Parties must respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and ensure that their needs are met.
“We urgently need a humanitarian ceasefire”
Guterres, on the other hand, pointed out that tension is increasing in the occupied West Bank, and at the same time the tension is high in the Red Sea and beyond.
Underlining deep concern for the conflict in the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon, Guterres said, “The risk of spreading tension between Israel and Lebanon over a wider area is deeply affecting regional stability.
Guterres said that a large number of people have been displaced in Israel and Lebanon because of the conflict in question, “I am deeply concerned about developments.
Guterres, who said that he should give a message to all parties as Secretary General, continued his words as follows:
“Stop carving by fire in the Blue Hat. Reduce tension and end the conflict under UN Security Council Resolution 1701.”
Noting that there is only one solution to overcome all these problems, Guterres said, “We urgently need a humanitarian ceasefire; to deliver aid to those in need, to facilitate the release of prisoners, to put out the wider fire of war. The longer the conflict lasts in Gaza, the greater the tension and the risk of miscalculation. We cannot allow what we see in Gaza to be repeated in Lebanon and the current situation in Gaza to continue” he said.
UN: Relations with Israel are “complex and challenging”
United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric made statements to reporters at the daily press conference.
Dujarric said they continue to meet with Israeli authorities to facilitate humanitarian operations in Gaza and that they are trying to make the aid process more effective and quick.
Dujarric responded to the question of how bilateral relations followed, following criticism from Israeli officials to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the institution, “The relations with Israel are complex and challenging.
Voicing that the UN is trying to deliver humanitarian aid in the midst of the conflict and that it is very difficult, Dujarric said, “The channels of communication with Israel are open, but the relations are still complex and challenging.
Dujarric said that Guterres is not the only communication channel for the Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and that they are communicating almost hourly with Israeli interlocutors about access to aid.
Gilad Erdan, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the UN, argues in the International Court of Justice that the “genocide” case against Israel is unfounded, saying the “Foundation UN must appear in court. The UN is the accomplice of terrorists” he said. (AA)
