UN Secretary-General António Guterres on
Thursday renewed his call for a ceasefire in Gaza, greater
humanitarian access and the release of all hostages, as the
enclave faces yet another deadly escalation.
“Israel's initial steps to militarily take over Gaza City
signals a new and dangerous phase,” he toldjournalists in New
York.
“Expanded military operations in Gaza City will have devastating
consequences. Hundreds of thousands of civilians – already
exhausted and traumatized – would be forced to flee yet again,
plunging families into even deeper peril. This must stop.”
‘Endless catalogue of horrors'
Mr. Guterres was speaking ahead of a Security Council meeting on
the situation in Haiti but stopped to brief reporters on the
“unfolding tragedy that is Gaza”, where “yet more unconscionable
Israeli strikes” have occurred.
Incidents include the two airstrikes on Nasser Hospital in Khan
Younis earlier this week which killed civilians, including
medical personnel and journalists, “all with the world watching”.
The Secretary-General said “these attacks are part of an endless
catalogue of horrors” and called for accountability.
“Gaza is piled with rubble, piled with bodies, and piled with
examples of what may be serious violations of international law,”
he said.
“Hostages taken by Hamas and other groups must be released and
the atrocious treatment they have been forced to endure must
stop. Civilians must be protected.”
Unparalleled destruction and famine
Mr. Guterres stressed that “the levels of death and destruction
in Gaza are without parallel in recent times”.
He said that “famine is no longer a looming possibility - it is a
present-day catastrophe.”
People are dying from hunger, yet Gaza's food, water and
healthcare systems have been systematically dismantled.
Israel's obligations
“These are the facts on the ground. And they are the result of
deliberate decisions that defy basic humanity,” he said. “Israel,
as the occupying Power, has clear obligations.”
He said Israel must ensure the provision of food, water,
medicine, and other essentials. This is in addition to
agreeing to and facilitating far greater humanitarian access to
Gaza, and protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Mr. Guterres said the International Court of
Justice (ICJ) has given binding
provisional measures which must be implemented in full and
immediately.
They include the obligation to take all steps to ensure
unfettered humanitarian and medical assistance to Palestinians
throughout the Gaza Strip “without delay and in full cooperation
with the United Nations.”
UN staff killed, aid efforts blocked
Meanwhile, the UN and partners are doing all they can, he
said. This is often at great personal risk, as tragically
366 UN personnel have been killed.
“Day after day, our efforts are being blocked, delayed, and
denied,” he said. “This is unacceptable.”
Settlement expansion in the West Bank
Mr. Guterres also addressed the situation in the West Bank,
describing it as “profoundly alarming”.
He said Israeli military operations, settler violence,
demolitions, and discriminatory policies are driving displacement
and deepening vulnerability.
Furthermore, the relentless expansion of settlements is
fracturing communities and cutting off access to vital resources.
The Israeli authorities recently approved of a plan for the
construction of thousands of settlements in the E1 area. He said
this would effectively separate the northern and southern West
Bank, representing “an existential threat to the two-state
solution” between Israelis and Palestinians.
“I repeat: the Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank
including East Jerusalem have been established – and are being
maintained -- in violation of international law,” he
stressed.
“Israel must cease such actions and comply with its obligations.”
‘No more excuses'
The Secretary-General concluded his remarks by emphasizing that
there is no military solution to the conflict.
“I appeal once again for an immediate and permanent ceasefire,
unfettered humanitarian access across Gaza, and the immediate and
unconditional release of all hostages,” he said.
“Starvation of the civilian population must never be used as a
method of warfare. Civilians must be protected. Humanitarian
access must be unimpeded,” he added, ending with a plea for “No
more excuses. No more obstacles. No more lies.”
