On Monday, Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, condemned attacks carried out by Hamas and other groups on Israeli cities and villages located on the Gaza periphery. These attacks resulted in the deaths of over 800 Israelis and the injuries of over 2,500 others.
Guterres told reporters in New York that he had just finished chairing an unusual gathering of senior officials from the United Nations to consider the exceptional events that have taken place in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
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As the attacks were still going on, he said it was expected that the number of people killed and injured would continue to grow, and many people were still missing.
In addition, it has been reported that more than one hundred Israelis, both civilians and military personnel, have been taken captive by armed organizations. This number includes women, children, and elderly people.
“Some are being held hostage inside Israel, and many others have been taken inside the Gaza Strip,” Guterres stated. “Some are being held hostage inside of Israel.”
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During this time, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have fired thousands of missiles without discrimination in the direction of central Israel. Some of these rockets have even reached Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Guterres, who acknowledged the legitimate problems of the Palestinian people, stated that nothing could justify these acts of terror and the murdering, maiming, and kidnapping of civilians. He acknowledged that the Palestinian people have a right to their grievances.
“I am restating my demand that an immediate end be put to these attacks, and that all hostages be freed.
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“Gaza has been subjected to Israeli airstrikes in response to these unprecedented attacks,” the Israeli government said.
“The news that more than 500 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed in Gaza and that over 3,000 others have been injured gravely disturb me.
“Unfortunately, these numbers are rising by the minute as Israeli operations continue,” the chief of the UN warned earlier today.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations stated that while he acknowledged Israel’s reasonable concerns for its own safety, he also reminded that country that all military actions must be carried out in compliance with international humanitarian law.
At all times, it is imperative that civilians be respected and protected. Never in the history of the world should civilian infrastructure be a target.
“We already have reports that Israeli missiles are striking health facilities inside Gaza,” added Guterres. “We also have reports that Israeli missiles are striking multi-story residential towers and a mosque.”
“I am profoundly troubled by today’s statement that Israel will begin a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, with nothing allowed in – no electricity, no food, and no gasoline. This decision deeply disturbs me.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza was already in a very precarious state before these hostilities began, and it is only going to become worse from here on out.
“There is an immediate and critical need for access to medical equipment, food, fuel, and other humanitarian supplies, as well as personnel who work in the humanitarian sector.”
Guterres went on to say that “relief and the entry of essential supplies into Gaza must be facilitated,” and that the United Nations will continue its efforts to offer aid in response to the region’s needs.
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