UN chief warns that “these dangerous developments are fuelling an already explosive situation”
Aug. 29 (EUROPA PRESS) –
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday called for an “immediate cessation” of large-scale operations launched by the Israeli army in several governorates in the northern West Bank, which have so far claimed the lives of more than a dozen Palestinians, and in the context of the increase in incursions by Israeli troops in this territory since the attacks carried out on October 7, 2023 by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) against Israeli territory.
“These dangerous developments are fuelling an already explosive situation in the occupied West Bank and further undermine the Palestinian Authority,” he said, adding that he was “deeply concerned by recent developments” that have “involved the use of airstrikes, resulting in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.” He said in a statement that “he strongly condemns the loss of life, including of children.”
The UN chief has thus called on Israel to comply with its relevant obligations under international humanitarian law and to take measures to protect civilians and ensure their safety. In this regard, he has urged the security forces to “exercise maximum restraint and to use lethal force only when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life.”
Guterres stressed that all the injured must have access to medical care, and that humanitarian workers must be able to reach all those in need, after the Israel Defense Forces surrounded hospitals, blocked the passage of ambulances and searched vehicles and medical personnel.
On the other hand, he expressed his “deep concern about the recent dangerous and provocative acts and statements” of the Israeli Minister of National Security, the far-right Itamar Ben Gvir, who recently expressed his intention to build a synagogue on the Esplanade of the Mosques. That is why Guterres has stressed the importance of maintaining the ‘status quo’ in the holy places of Jerusalem.
“Only an end to the occupation and a return to a meaningful political process that establishes a two-state solution will end the violence. The United Nations will continue to work with all parties to that end, to try to de-escalate the current situation and promote stability in the region,” he concluded.
Israeli army operations and attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have left more than 660 Palestinians dead since the escalation of such actions since 7 October, when Hamas and other Palestinian factions launched an assault that left nearly 1,200 dead and some 250 hostages. Palestinian authorities in the Gaza Strip have since counted more than 40,400 dead from Israeli attacks.
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