NEW YORK CITY: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for an end to “this vicious circle of bloodshed, hatred and polarization,” as the conflict between Hamas and Israel continued for a third day.
He repeated his condemnation of “the abhorrent attacks by Hamas and others” on Israeli towns and villages, launched from Gaza, which have left more than 800 Israelis dead and more than 2,500 injured since they began on Saturday.
“I recognize the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people but nothing can justify these acts of terror and the killing, maiming and abduction of civilians,” Guterres said as he reiterated his call for an immediate halt to the attacks and the release of all hostages.
He acknowledged that the violence does not exist “in a vacuum” but stems from a “long-standing conflict with a 56-year-long occupation and no political end in sight.”
He added that he was “deeply distressed” by the decision of Israeli authorities to respond to the attacks by imposing a total siege on Gaza, which has already been under blockade since 2007.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said earlier on Monday that his country would impose a “complete siege” on the Strip, as a result of which the 2.3 million people living there will receive “no electricity, no food, no water, no gas — it’s all closed.”
Speaking after an extraordinary meeting with UN leaders to discuss the situation in Gaza, Guterres said: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before these hostilities. Now it will only deteriorate exponentially.”
In addition to the siege, Israeli authorities have responded to the attacks by launching a barrage of airstrikes that have relentlessly pounded Gaza, reportedly killing more than 500 Palestinians, including women and children, and wounding more than 3,000. Guterres expressed his deep concern about these figures, noting that they continue to rise as the Israeli operations continue.
“While I recognize Israel’s legitimate security concerns, I also remind Israel that military operations must be conducted in strict accordance with international humanitarian law,” he said.
He stressed the importance of respecting and protecting civilians at all times, and that civilian sites and infrastructure must not be targeted.
“We already have reports of Israeli missiles striking health facilities inside Gaza as well as multi-story residential towers and a mosque,” Guterres said.
“Two UNRWA schools sheltering displaced families in Gaza were also hit,” he added, referring to the UN agency that provides humanitarian and development assistance for Palestinian refugees.
“Some 137,000 people are currently sheltering in UNRWA facilities, with the number increasing as heavy shelling and airstrikes continue.”
Medical equipment, food, fuel and other humanitarian supplies are desperately needed in Gaza, Guterres said, along with safe access for aid workers. He vowed that efforts by the UN to provide assistance in response to the needs in the impoverished territory will continue, and called on the international community to mobilize immediate humanitarian support for this effort.
He also emphasized the need “even in these worst of times, and perhaps especially in the most trying moments” to look toward the long-term horizon and avoid any irreversible actions that might embolden extremists and jeopardize the prospects for lasting peace.
“Israel must see its legitimate needs for security materialized, and Palestinians must see a clear perspective for the establishment of their own state realized,” Guterres said.
“Only a negotiated peace that fulfills the legitimate national aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis, together with their security alike — the long-held vision of a two-state solution in line with United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements — can bring long-term stability to the people of this land and the wider Middle East region.”
He added that both he and Tor Wennesland, the UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, are talking with leaders in the region to express “our concern, our outrage, and to advance efforts to avoid any spillover to the wider Middle East.”
