New York - Saba:
The United Nations expressed grave concern about the possibility of Israel expanding its military operations to include the entire Gaza Strip, noting that it would lead to catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians.
In a speech delivered last night during a session of the UN Security Council, Miroslav Jenča, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, stressed that the situation in Gaza has become horrific and unbearable, noting that Palestinians are subjected to miserable and inhumane conditions on a daily basis.
He added: "Since the end of May, more than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed and more than 8,100 others have been injured while trying to obtain food, including near aid distribution points under military control." Jenca pointed out that the number of martyrs and wounded continues to increase, that there are no signs of an end to the suffering, and that Israel continues to impose severe restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
He pointed to the widespread famine in Gaza, emphasizing that civilians must be protected and not be targeted or deliberately deprived of access to food, as doing so constitutes a war crime.
He emphasized the need for Israel to immediately allow the rapid, unimpeded, and adequate passage of humanitarian aid needed by civilians.
He warned, "The possibility of Israel expanding its military operations to include the entire Gaza Strip is deeply worrying and would have disastrous consequences for millions of Palestinians." Jenca emphasized that international law is clear on this matter, saying, "Gaza is an integral part of the future State of Palestine and must remain so." He explained that the Israeli entity is obligated to immediately cease new settlement activities, evacuate all settlers from the occupied Palestinian territories, and end its illegal presence on these Palestinian territories, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Quds, as soon as possible.
He stated that the United Nations' position on this issue is very clear, noting that a complete and lasting ceasefire is the only way to end the ongoing violence and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
He pointed to the need to release all prisoners immediately and unconditionally.
He added, "Life-saving humanitarian aid must reach Gaza on a large scale and without any hindrance, and safe and unhindered access for civilians to aid must be ensured."
Jenca emphasized that a military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not possible.
He continued, "We must establish political and security frameworks that will alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, initiate early recovery and reconstruction, and end the illegal Israeli occupation."
Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli enemy has been waging a war of genocide in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and displacement. Forced, ignoring all international appeals and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.
The genocide, with American support, left more than 211,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 9,000 missing, in addition to hundreds of thousands of displaced persons and a famine that claimed the lives of many, including dozens of children.
| more of (International) |