Israel-Hamas conflict: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for immediate ceasefire
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate ceasefire to 'ease epic suffering, make the delivery of aid easier and safer and facilitate the release of hostages', in the Gaza Strip.
"Divisions are splintering societies and tensions threaten to boil over," he said.
"It is vital to be clear on principles" he added, starting with the protection of civilians," the UN chief said.
He also emphasized that the world cannot lose sight of the only realistic foundation for peace and stability in the Middle East - a two-State solution.
“Israelis must see their legitimate need for security materialized and Palestinians must see their legitimate need for an independent State realized, in line with UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements.”
Mr. Guterres said nothing could justify the deliberate killing and kidnapping of civilians, or the Hamas rocket launches against civilian targets, but he said it was important to recognize the attacks by Hamas "did not happen in a vacuum."
"The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation", he added.
"But the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas. And those appalling attacks cannot justify the punishment of the Palestinian people."
On day 17 of the Gaza-Israel crisis, UN humanitarians on Tuesday (October 24, 2023) pleaded for desperately needed fuel deliveries and other relief items to prevent the already dire situation in the enclave from worsening further.
This amounts to more than 400 children reportedly either killed or injured daily. Additionally, more than 30 Israeli children reportedly have lost their lives, and dozens remain in captivity within the Gaza Strip.
Top Headlines
-
News
'Urged Israel to at least stop bombing Gaza during Ramadan': PM Modi in interview
May 17, 2024
-
News
'Modi finished BJP veterans' careers, will replace Yogi Adityanath too if...': Arvind Kejriwal
May 11, 2024
-
News
Vladimir Putin takes oath for his fifth term as Russia's President, vows to defend country
May 09, 2024
-
News
Pakistan desperate to make 'shehzada' the PM of India: Modi's veiled jibe at Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat poll rally
May 02, 2024
-
News
Key accused in Salman Khan house firing incident dies after attempting suicide
May 01, 2024
-
News
Columbia University protesters are now demanding free food and water from authorities, demonstration erupts in UCLA
May 01, 2024
-
News
'Life, liberty exceedingly important': Supreme Court questions ED on Kejriwal's arrest before elections
April 30, 2024
-
News
Man with sword kills 13-year-old in London, injures four others
April 30, 2024
-
News
Supreme Court to deliver verdict on pleas seeking complete count of VVPAT slips
April 24, 2024
-
News
WMO report shows Asia hit hardest by climate change and extreme weather
April 24, 2024