UN CHIEF GUTERRES URGES END TO ‘VICIOUS CIRCLE OF BLOODSHED, HATRED AND POLARISATION’

Mon 09 October 2023:

António Guterres, the United Nations secretary general, said he was “deeply distressed” by Israel’s declaration of a “complete siege” of Gaza.

Speaking from the UN’s headquarters in New York, Guterres said he was “deeply alarmed” by reports of the deaths of more than 500 Palestinians, including women and children, with these numbers “rising by the minute”. He said:

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I recognise the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people. But nothing can justify these acts of terror and the killing, maiming and abduction of civilians.

He reiterated his call to immediately cease attacks and release all hostages. He added:

While I recognise Israel’s legitimate security concerns, I also remind Israel that military operations must be conducted in strict accordance with international humanitarian law. Civilians must be respected and protected at all times. Civilian infrastructure must never be a target.

The UN chief described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as already “extremely dire” before the latest hostilities, and warned that “now it will only disintegrate exponentially”.

"Nothing can justify these acts of terror and the killing, maiming and abduction of civilians."

UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, delivers a statement on the Israel-Hamas war.

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The Israeli government’s decision to put Gaza under “complete siege” is a significant step and could trigger considerable hardship for the civilian population.

Gaza’s population of 2.3 million is heavily dependent on Israel for supplies of fuel, electricity, imported food supplies, water and medicine.

The siege was announced by defence minister Yoav Gallant on Monday. “I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed,” Gallant says following an assessment at the IDF Southern Command in Beersheba.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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