In an organization like the United Nations, given its structure and financing, general secretary are generally limited compared to those of member states. Often the biggest weapon for this position is the word. And this rhetoric What Antonio Guterres continues to appeal for a change in the situation Loopgave an assurance here this Wednesday “an epic humanitarian disaster.”
Portuguese opened another session Security Council A meeting dedicated to the crisis, organized this month by China, which holds the rotating presidency, and attended by Beijing’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, as well as several diplomatic officials from Arab countries.
Before them, Guterres welcomed the “intensive negotiations” that have been carried out in recent days to extend the ceasefire that allowed the release of hostages. Hamas and Palestinian detainees Israel and increase the inflow and distribution of humanitarian aid, but he also called for more. “We need a real humanitarian ceasefire,” he said.
This ceasefire request is a message also sent by other participants of the meeting. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki and Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. But it’s an idea that: Frontal rejection of Israel, As UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan reminded, and which the main ally of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government does not support: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, ambassador of the Joe Biden government, said “a extension of the humanitarian pause”.
Insufficient resolution
Guterres appeared 15 days after he tried for the fifth time to unblock the Security Council, which is responsible for maintaining peace and security, and approve a resolution calling for humanitarian pauses. had to balance it’s about how the text is applied. And the diagnosis is not very flattering. “By now it is clear that implementation has been only partial at bestforks Unfortunately, it is inadequate.”he complained.
A review of the situation helps explain Guterres’ stance. The Secretary General reminded this More than 14,000 people died, two-thirds of whom were children and women. He also denounced, before the cessation of hostilities: “serious violations” and emphasized, for example: 80 percent of the population had to leave their homes and 45% of these homes were damaged or destroyed. “There is no safe place in Gaza” he condemned.
The Portuguese also emphasized that: 82 UN facilities On the Strip, the so-called untouchable 104 eventsIncluding 24 since the adoption of the 15 November resolution. mentioned 218 displaced people died They took shelter in the schools run by the UN organization for them. He also reminded that in this conflict: 111 dead among UN personnel “The largest personnel loss in the history of the organization”
Guterres also assured help level Whoever enters Gaza “stays” completely inappropriate “It addresses the needs of more than two million people,” he said, and particularly emphasized the following: fuel inlet “Not enough to maintain basic operations.” He also reiterated his request. Opening of other crossing points besides Rafah.
Palestine and Israel
The session in New York once again revealed the truth. unbridgeable gap An agreement was reached between Israel and the Palestinians on a ceasefire. Erdan, Israeli ambassador, He assured: “Basically everyone who supports the ceasefire Supports Hamas’ reign of terror in Gaza“, he said, assuring that it was a “genocidal terrorist organization” and “not a reliable partner for peace.”
In front of him Al Maliki, The Palestinian foreign minister argued that “the ceasefire must become a permanent ceasefire.” “The massacres cannot be allowed to return,” he said. “This is not a war, it is a massacre” nothing and no one can justify it. It needs to end.”
Prince Al Saud also assured that “a ceasefire is not enough” to ask for a ceasefire. “The danger is that if this ceasefire ends, We will return to the slaughter on the scale we see unbearable“, he assured the press before entering the meeting.