on the exact day 78th anniversary With the entry into force of the law United Nations CharterHE Security Council We met again this Tuesday in a session dedicated to the crisis between them. Israel And Palestine. after organ two resolutions failed The last of those demanding a humanitarian ceasefire US vetogeneral secretary UN, Antonio GuterresHe opened the session by repeating his words.Call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”
“Even war has rules“Asking all parties to fulfill and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, the Portuguese emphasized this in his speech.
Guterres is back I condemn it harshly and clearly the attacks Hamas From 7 Octoberbut he also noted that “it is important Recognize that these things do not happen in a vacuum.”It recalls the impact of 56 years of “stifling occupation” as well as settlements, violence, economic strangulation, home demolitions and forced displacement on Palestinians.
“The suffering of the Palestinian people cannot justify the horrific attacks of Hamas, and these attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people,” Guterres said.“deeply worrying” HE “incessant bombardment Loop by Israeli forces level of civilian casualties and the complete destruction of neighborhoods.”
“Clear violation of humanitarian law”
The Portuguese also showed that he was “deeply concerned about this issue”. clear violations of international humanitarian law “We see this in Gaza.” “Protecting civilians does not mean ordering the evacuation of more than a million people to the south, where there is no shelter, food, water, medicine and fuel, and continuing to bomb the south,” he stressed. Although he celebrated the humanitarian aid finally reaching Gaza, “this is a “A drop of help in the ocean of need”.
The Portuguese’s words opened a session. a total of 86 speakers, to contain many ministers and foreign affairs officials Those who attend the council meeting in person. And this comes two days before the event General Assembly This is an echo of what happened in Ukraine, where, due to the blockade of the Security Council, which addressed the issue of crisis, it was transferred to a body where all member states are represented and where the pulse of emotions is felt. Places where the international community takes but decisions are not binding.
A devastating portrait
The seriousness of the situation was once again revealed in the words of Guterres, as well as the UN Middle East peace process coordinator Tor Wennesland and, above all, humanitarian aid coordinator Lynn Hastings. Palestinian lands.
For example, Hastings recalled: In the attacks that lasted 17 days Israel In response to Hamas attacks on October 7 Number of Palestinian victims more than doubles from 2014 When the war lasted 50 days. HE 62 percent of these victims are women and children. Hastings also recalled: 1.4 million displaced people, to contain 600,000 refugees in UN facilities. “There is no shelter in Gaza” he condemned. “When it comes to deciding whether to flee and where to flee, civilians are damned if they run and damned if they don’t.”