Capitals: Europe and the Arabs
The Special Representative of UN Women for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Marise Guimond, said that the population in Gaza has been almost completely deprived of the means and capacity to ensure food security, shelter, health and livelihoods. This comes as the representative of the World Health Organization there highlighted the staggering number of infections, amputations, and patients suffering from chronic health conditions in the Strip. Maris Guimond added at the press conference of the United Nations agencies in Geneva, speaking about her recent visit to the Gaza Strip, that “ “The moment you cross the Kerem Shalom crossing, and the fence closes behind you, you feel like you are stuck in a world of devastation,” according to the UN daily news bulletin, a copy of which we received this morning.
For his part, the Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed deep concern about the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah on the Blue Line, and warned of the dangers of the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East and any reckless moves or miscalculation.
Secretary-General António Guterres made these statements to reporters at the permanent headquarters, saying: “I found myself forced today to express my deep concern about the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah along the Blue Line. The escalation in the continued exchange of fire, and the escalation in the hostile rhetoric on both sides as if it were a war.” Comprehensive is imminent. The danger of widening conflict in the Middle East is real and one reckless step - one miscalculation - could lead to a disaster that transcends borders and, frankly, beyond imagination.”
The Secretary-General of the United Nations added that the peoples of the region and the world cannot tolerate Lebanon becoming another Gaza.
António Guterres stated that many people lost their lives on both sides of the Blue Line and tens of thousands were displaced, while homes and livelihoods were destroyed.
He stressed the need for the two parties to recommit to the full implementation of Security Council Resolution No. 1701 and immediately return to the cessation of hostilities, stressing the need to protect civilians and not target children, journalists and medical workers.
He said: "The world must say loudly and clearly that immediate de-escalation is not only possible but essential. There is no military solution. Further military escalation will only guarantee more suffering and destruction for communities in Lebanon and Israel and potentially catastrophic consequences for the region."
The Secretary-General of the United Nations added that the time has come for reason, rationality, and practical and realistic engagement by the parties in the diplomatic and political means available to them.
He explained that the United Nations is actively working to promote peace, security and stability in accordance with Resolution 1701. He said that UN peacekeepers on the ground, UNIFIL, are working to calm tensions and help prevent miscalculations in a very difficult environment. He expressed his appreciation for their efforts.
Guterres stressed that cessation of hostilities and progress towards a permanent ceasefire is the only permanent solution, saying that the United Nations fully supports diplomatic efforts to end the violence, restore stability and avoid further human suffering in a region that has already witnessed so much.
He concluded his speech by saying: "We are doing this as we continue to press for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages, and finding a real path to a two-state solution."
In response to journalists' questions about the "looting of relief trucks" in Gaza, the Secretary-General said that the situation in the Strip had become complete chaos. He added: "Most humanitarian aid trucks inside Gaza are looted... There is no authority in most areas. Israel does not even allow what is known as the blue police to accompany our convoys because they are local police linked to the local administration. It is complete chaos and we are facing extreme difficulty in distributing aid inside Gaza."
Guterres stressed the need for a mechanism and guarantees regarding the minimum rule of law and order that allows the distribution of aid, and in this context, he stressed the importance of a ceasefire.