UN Secretary-General Concerned Over Gaza Civilian Casualties, Calls for Action
New York, Indonesianpost.com – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concern “over the killing of women and children” as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, expressing his regret that “the casualty numbers are rising every minute” with the continuation of the aggression.
During a press conference on Monday, Guterres noted that what is happening did not come from anywhere, and it has arisen from a long-standing conflict, with a 56-year-old occupation and no political end in sight.
Guterres called on Israel, the occupying power, to “strictly abide by international humanitarian law” during its aggression on the Gaza Strip, stressing the importance of “respecting and protecting civilians at all times, with civilian infrastructure not being a target at all.”
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He also pointed to “Israeli airstrikes targeting hospitals and health facilities, towers containing residential apartments, and a mosque, in addition to targeting two UNRWA schools hosting families displaced from their homes.” He noted that the number of displaced persons reached 137,000, who sought refuge in UNRWA facilities, and their number is increasing with the continued intense air raids.
He also expressed his regret at Israel’s announcement today that it will impose its siege on the Gaza Strip and will not allow anything to enter it, “neither electricity, nor food, nor fuel,” pointing out that the humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before that, and will deteriorate significantly afterward.
He stressed that there is an urgent need for medical equipment, food, fuel, and other humanitarian supplies, as well as the ability for humanitarian workers to access Gaza.
He explained that relief operations and the entry of essential supplies into Gaza must be facilitated, and the United Nations will continue its efforts to provide assistance to meet these needs, calling for the necessity of allowing the United Nations to deliver urgent humanitarian aid to the besieged and helpless Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and appealing for the mobilization of immediate humanitarian support for this effort.