UN SECRETARY GENERAL CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE

Sat 21 October 2023:

The UN secretary general, António Guterres, has told the Cairo peace summit that the time has come for “action to end this Godawful nightmare” and called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

“I appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire now,” he said.

Yesterday, he said, he saw food trucks lining up at the Rafah border on one side, while there were “empty stomachs on the other”.

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He says he is grateful to Egypt for their role in enabling today’s convoy, but that people in Gaza need much more.

“Nothing can justify” the assault by Hamas, he said, but added that these attacks can never justify the “collective punishment” against the Palestinian people.

The Geneva conventions must be upheld, he said, and called for immediate aid for Gaza and immediate unconditional release of hostages.

A two-state solution is the only hope for peace, he said. “The time has come for action. Action to end this Godawful nightmare.”

UN SECRETARY GENERAL CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE

The UN secretary general, António Guterres, has told the Cairo peace summit that the time has come for “action to end this Godawful nightmare” and called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

The grievances of… pic.twitter.com/1puEPkjtwm

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) October 21, 2023

An excerpt from Gutteres’s speech:

Excellencies,

Let’s be clear.

The grievances of the Palestinian people are legitimate and long.

We cannot and must not ignore the wider context for these tragic events: the long-standing conflict and 56 years of occupation with no end in sight.

But nothing can justify the reprehensible assault by Hamas that terrorized Israeli civilians.

And those abhorrent attacks can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

International humanitarian law – including the Geneva Conventions – must be upheld.

That includes protecting civilians and not attacking hospitals, schools and UN premises that are currently sheltering half a million people.

Excellencies,

Our near-term goals must be clear:

Immediate, unrestricted and sustained humanitarian aid for besieged civilians in Gaza.

Immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

And immediate and dedicated efforts to prevent the spread of violence which is increasing the risk of spillover.

To advance all these efforts, I appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire now.

Excellencies,

Our sustained collective efforts and resources have never been needed more.

As we focus on ending the bloodshed, we cannot lose sight of the only realistic foundation for a true peace and stability: a two-State solution.

Israelis must see their legitimate needs for security materialised, and Palestinians must see their legitimate aspirations for an independent State realized, in line with United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements.

The time has come for action.

Action to end this godawful nightmare.

Action to build a future worthy of the dreams of the children of Palestine, Israel, the region and our world.