Speaking in Jordan at an
international conference prompted by the catastrophic
humanitarian situation in Gaza, Mr. Guterres insisted that after
more than eight months of intense hostilities, “the
horror must stop”.
“I welcome the peace initiative recently outlined by President
Biden and urge all parties to seize this opportunity and
come to an agreement,” the UN chief said. “And I call on
all parties to respect their obligations under international
humanitarian law. This includes facilitating the delivery of
humanitarian aid both into and inside Gaza, as they have
committed. All available routes into Gaza must be operational
– and the land routes are absolutely crucial.”
On Monday, the United States-drafted text urged Hamas to accept a
ceasefire proposal announced on 31 May by President Joe Biden
that has already been accepted by Israel, according to the White
House.
The text urges both parties to fully implement the terms of the
proposal “without delay and without condition”.
It was adopted by a large majority with 14 votes in
favour and Russia abstaining – choosing not to exercise its veto
power.
Standing by UNRWA
Highlighting the key role played in the battered enclave by the
UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA – which has been
attacked and ostracized by Israeli leaders - the
Secretary-General insisted that its presence “will remain
critical not only during the conflict, but afterwards”.
Latest reports from Gaza show that around 60 per cent of all
residential buildings and at least 80 per cent of commercial
facilities have been damaged by Israeli bombardment, the UN chief
said, with health facilities and educational institutions reduced
to rubble.
In addition, more than one million “deeply traumatized children
in Gaza” need psychosocial support and the safety and hope their
schools used to provide, Mr. Guterres said, before insisting that
“only UNRWA has the capacity, skills, and
networks needed to support the Palestinian people to
face the immense challenge on health, on education and so much
more.”
Aid access obstacles endure
Echoing deep and repeated warning from humanitarians about the
scale of the severe emergency across Gaza linked to the lack of
aid access, the UN chief noted that “at least half of all
humanitarian aid missions are denied access, impeded, or
cancelled due to operational or security reasons”.
In Geneva, meanwhile, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, expressed profound
shock at the impact of the hostage release operation in Gaza's
Nuseirat refugee camp at the weekend.
OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said that hundreds of
Palestinians, – many of them civilians – were reportedly killed
and injured and that the way the raid was conducted “in such a
densely populated area seriously calls into question” whether
Israeli forces respected the principles of distinction,
proportionality and precaution, as set out under the laws of war.
