United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday, October 10, 2023, condemned the Hamas attack against Israel but said he was “deeply distressed” by the country’s subsequent imposition of a total siege on the Gaza Strip.
He described the incident as an unprecedented development which ought to be condemned.
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before these hostilities,” Guterres told reporters. “Now it will only deteriorate exponentially.”
“This most recent violence does not come in a vacuum,” Guterres stressed. “The reality is that it grows out of a long-standing conflict, with a 56-year-long occupation and no political end in sight.”
“While I recognize Israel’s legitimate security concerns, I also remind Israel that military operations must be conducted in strict accordance with international humanitarian law,” Guterres said.
“I recognize the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people,” Guterres said. “But nothing can justify these acts of terror and the killing, maiming, and abduction of civilians.”
“I am deeply distressed by today’s announcement that Israel will initiate a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, nothing allowed in — no electricity, food, or fuel,” Guterres said.
The UN will continue efforts to provide aid to respond to needs in Gaza, Guterres said.
“Israel must see its legitimate needs for security materialized — and Palestinians must see a clear perspective for the establishment of their own state realized,” Guterres added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana