UN Secretary-General Criticizes Israel’s Violations of International Law in Gaza: Calls for Immediate Ceasefire
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UN Secretary-General Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has strongly condemned Israel’s violations of international law in the Gaza Strip. He called for an immediate ceasefire to stop the indiscriminate Israeli air strikes on the besieged enclave. The situation in Gaza is dire, with a severe shortage of essential resources like food, fuel, and water, leading to a humanitarian catastrophe.
Guterres Criticizes Israeli Actions
During a session at the United Nations Security Council, Guterres expressed his deep concern over the clear violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. He emphasized that all parties involved in armed conflicts must abide by these laws, without explicitly naming Israel.
Guterres also acknowledged that the recent attacks by Hamas were not isolated incidents. He highlighted that the Palestinian people have been living under oppressive occupation for 56 years.
Israeli Foreign Minister Reacts
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen reacted strongly to Guterres’ statements, accusing him of living in a different world. Cohen argued that Israel had completely withdrawn from Gaza in 2005, leaving no territorial disputes.
However, Cohen’s statement ignores the fact that Gaza has been under a crippling Israeli and Egyptian siege since 2007. This blockade has devastated the region’s economy and deprived its population of vital goods, including food, fuel, and medicine.
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Cohen Cancels Meeting with Guterres
Following their disagreement during the Security Council discussion, Israeli Foreign Minister Cohen canceled a scheduled meeting with Secretary-General Guterres in New York. Cohen expressed his belief that there was no room for a balanced approach after the recent events, stating that Hamas must be eliminated.
Escalating Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
Hamas launched an attack on Israel, targeting civilian areas, resulting in casualties and hostage situations. Israeli officials claim that at least 1,400 people were killed, while the Gaza Ministry of Health reported over 5,700 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, due to Israeli bombings.
Guterres, who personally visited the crossing between Egypt and Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire to alleviate the suffering and facilitate aid delivery. However, the healthcare system in Gaza has completely collapsed, and the UN’s fuel supplies are running critically low.
International Response
The Security Council session gathered senior diplomats, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken from the United States. Blinken previously rejected calls for a ceasefire, arguing it would benefit Hamas. The US used its veto against a draft resolution on the crisis, citing insufficient support for Israel’s right to self-defense.
Blinken announced that the United States is presenting a new resolution with substantial responses. He also questioned the lack of outrage over the killing of Israelis and emphasized the right of any nation to defend itself.
Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki criticized the Security Council’s inaction and condemned Israel’s ongoing massacres against Palestinian civilians. He called for collective humanitarian efforts to stop these atrocities.