Antonio Guterres Demanded Ceasefire in Gaza

 

Image Credit: Google

Guterres says the brutality of Hamas can never justify Israel's "collective punishment" of Palestinians in Gaza

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that there is no effective protection of civilians in Gaza and urged the UN Security Council to push for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Guterres called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday after more than 17,170 people, mostly women and children, were killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.

"The people of Gaza are staring into the abyss. The international community must do everything possible to end their ordeal. I urge the Council to act urgently to protect civilians and provide life-saving aid." Do not hesitate to press for a ceasefire on the bases.

Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel has bombarded Gaza relentlessly and sent tanks and ground troops since the war began on October 7 with unprecedented Hamas attacks on southern Israel. Israel has said that Hamas members killed about 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages, of whom 138 have not been released.

"About 130 hostages are still being held. I demand their immediate and unconditional release, as well as their humane treatment and visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross until they are released." Guterres said.

"At the same time, the brutality committed by Hamas can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people."

Guterres has invoked the rarely used Article 99 of the UN Charter to bring to the council's attention "any matter which in his opinion threatens international peace and security".

Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood told the Security Council that the US does not support an immediate ceasefire.

"While the United States strongly supports a lasting peace, in which both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security, we do not support calls for an immediate ceasefire," he said.

"It will only sow the seeds for the next war," he added.

Al Jazeera's diplomatic editor James Bays said Guterres' invocation of Article 99 of the UN Charter was extremely rare.

"He [Guterres] has not done this before. In fact, it hasn't been formally requested since 1989," Baez said, adding that it has not been requested in Syria, Yemen or Ukraine.

'Laws of War'

After Guterres sent the urgent letter, the UAE drafted a resolution that will be put to a vote, said the Ecuadorian delegation, which chairs the council this month and thus decides on scheduling matters. does.

The document described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "catastrophic" and called for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire," AFP news agency reported on Thursday.

The Security Council is due to vote later in the day on a proposed cease-fire plan, after several other previous efforts to mediate a cease-fire have been vetoed.

The short text also calls for the protection of civilians, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas, and humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.

Reporting from UN headquarters, Al Jazeera's Kristen Salomi said an "incredibly intense" diplomatic effort was underway.

"The U.S. position has not changed. The U.S. still believes the best way to get more aid to Gaza is through the quiet negotiations that are underway with Israel and other partners in the region.

"The diplomatic efforts at the United Nations have been incredibly intense," he said, explaining that Guterres was speaking to key actors in the region during the meeting.

Dozens of people were killed in Israeli attacks.

Vast areas of Gaza have become barren. About 80 percent of the population has been displaced, the United Nations says, and they face shortages of food, fuel, water and medicine, as well as the risk of disease.

Guterres said international humanitarian law includes the duty to protect civilians and observe the principles of non-discrimination, proportionality and precaution.

"The laws of war also require that the essential needs of civilians be met, including facilitating the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid," he added.

On Friday, the Health Ministry reported that 40 people were killed in Israeli strikes near Gaza City and "dozens" of others in Jabalia and Khan Yunis.

The Israeli army told residents of Jabalia, Shujaiya and Zaytoun districts of Gaza City to move to the west.

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces shot dead six Palestinians on Friday, the region's health ministry said.

(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)