Civilians in Gaza must not be the target of collective punishment, speakers told the Security Council today, as calls for a ceasefire gained greater urgency amid the intensification of Israel’s lethal military offensive into the besieged enclave, following the 7 October attacks by the armed group Hamas against that country.
In Haiti, the World Food Programme (WFP) reports that since mid-August, violence in Port-au-Prince has forced about 40,000 people to flee from their homes. These recent movements bring the total number of displaced people across the country to 200,000.
The following statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres was issued today:
The following statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres was issued today:
Calling for an immediate and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities, the General Assembly today demanded the unhindered provision of essential aid to civilians throughout the Gaza Strip, as the body continued its emergency session on the situation in the Middle East. The Assembly also failed to unequivocally reject and condemn the terrorist attacks by Hamas that took place in Israel starting on 7 October.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that from Saturday through Tuesday 62 trucks travelled through the Rafah crossing from Egypt into Gaza, carrying water, food and medical supplies. Most of this aid has already reached hospitals, ambulances and internally displaced people.
The worsening tension, unspeakable violence and harrowing suffering must end now, UN General Assembly President stressed today at an emergency meeting on the situation in the Middle East, during which he condemned the killing of all civilians on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides and urged all parties to abide by international law and immediately allow for aid to access the Gaza Strip.
The Security Council today failed to adopt either of two competing draft resolutions — one from the United States, the other from the Russian Federation — addressing the raging war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) — by far the largest humanitarian provider in Gaza — warned that, unless fuel is allowed into Gaza immediately, it will be forced to halt its operations tonight.
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council open debate on the Middle East, in New York today:
