“For the good of the people of Gaza, for the good of the hostages and their families in Israel, and for the good of the region and the world at large, I strongly encourage the government of Israel and the leaders of Hamas to now come to an agreement,” he urged in an appearance before the press.
The high representative considered negotiation essential in the face of the unbearable consequences of an escalation in the Rafah governorate that would kill thousands more civilians and force hundreds of thousands to flee.
“All members of the Security Council, and many other governments, have clearly expressed their opposition to such an operation. I call on all those with influence over Israel to do everything in their power to prevent it,” he stressed.
Guterres called on Tel Aviv’s allies to act, recalling that more than 1.2 million people are now seeking refuge in Rafah, most of them fleeing Israeli bombing.
“They have very little to eat, almost no access to medical care, little shelter and no safe place to go,” he lamented.
In the northern Gaza region, he added, from sick children to people with disabilities are already dying of hunger and disease.
“We must do everything possible to avoid a totally avoidable and man-made famine,” stressed the head of the United Nations.
The Secretary General also warned of the lack of security for the distribution of aid in Gaza, which threatens humanitarian personnel and civilians, often targets of attacks.
In this sense, he demanded safe, rapid and unhindered access from Israel to humanitarian aid and humanitarian workers, including the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (Unrwa).
The veteran diplomat found alarming reports of mass graves discovered in several areas of the enclave, including the Al Shifa and Nasser medical complexes, which point to murders and illegal burials.
In this regard, he called for independent international investigations with immediate access to establish the precise circumstances.
In addition, he demanded protection for hospitals, health workers, patients and all civilians along with respect for the human rights of all.
ro/ebr
