11 June 2024 Peace and Security
A comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza linked to the release of all remaining hostages cannot come too soon, UN
Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday, as he welcomed the Security Council resolution adopted a day earlier
seeking an end to the war there.
Speaking in Jordan at an international conference prompted by the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, Mr.
Guterres insisted that after more than eight months of intense hostilities, “the horror must stop”.
“I welcome the peace initiative recently outlined by President Biden and urge all parties to seize this opportunity and
come to an agreement,” the UN chief said. “And I call on all parties to respect their obligations under international
humanitarian law. This includes facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid both into and inside Gaza, as they have
committed. All available routes into Gaza must be operational – and the land routes are absolutely crucial.”
On Monday, the United States-drafted text urged Hamas to accept a ceasefire proposal announced on 31 May by President
Joe Biden that has already been accepted by Israel, according to the White House.
The text urges both parties to fully implement the terms of the proposal “without delay and without condition”. It was
adopted by a large majority with 14 votes in favour and Russia abstaining – choosing not to exercise its veto power.Standing by UNRWA
Highlighting the key role played in the battered enclave by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA – which has
been attacked and ostracized by Israeli leaders - the Secretary-General insisted that its presence “will remain critical
not only during the conflict, but afterwards”.
Latest reports from Gaza show that around 60 per cent of all residential buildings and at least 80 per cent of
commercial facilities have been damaged by Israeli bombardment, the UN chief said, with health facilities and
educational institutions reduced to rubble.
In addition, more than one million “deeply traumatized children in Gaza” need psychosocial support and the safety and
hope their schools used to provide, Mr. Guterres said, before insisting that “only UNRWA has the capacity, skills, and
networks needed to support the Palestinian people to face the immense challenge on health, on education and so much
more.”Aid access obstacles endure
Echoing deep and repeated warning from humanitarians about the scale of the severe emergency across Gaza linked to the
lack of aid access, the UN chief noted that “at least half of all humanitarian aid missions are denied access, impeded,
or cancelled due to operational or security reasons”.
In Geneva, meanwhile, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, expressed profound shock at the impact of the hostage release
operation in Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp at the weekend.
OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said that hundreds of Palestinians, – many of them civilians – were reportedly killed
and injured and that the way the raid was conducted “in such a densely populated area seriously calls into question”
whether Israeli forces respected the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution, as set out under the
laws of war.