<\/p>\n
27 September 2024<\/p>\n
9734th Meeting<\/p>\n
Watch Secretary-General’s Remarks on UN Web TV<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Following are UN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres\u2019 remarks to the Security Council briefing on Gaza, in New York today:<\/em><\/p>\n Almost one year has passed since the horrific acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on 7\u00a0October\u00a02023.\u00a0 I repeat my utter condemnation of these attacks, and the taking of hostages.\u00a0 Nothing can justify such acts.<\/p>\n This week, I held two more in a series of meetings with the families of hostages. \u00a0I call again for their immediate and unconditional release.<\/p>\n Since 7\u00a0October\u00a02023, relentless Israeli bombardment and hostilities have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza \u2014 including many women and children.\u00a0 Countless others have been injured, maimed and traumatized for life.<\/p>\n The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as Secretary-General.\u00a0 Nothing can also justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n Over the past year, virtually the entire population of Gaza has been displaced \u2014 many of them several times \u2014 with nowhere safe to go.\u00a0Half of the homeless are children.<\/p>\n All are surviving in appalling conditions with very limited access to food, water, sanitation, shelter and health care.\u00a0 All are in constant fear for their lives.<\/p>\n In the face of this destruction, international humanitarian law is in tatters.\u00a0And let\u2019s be clear: \u00a0Violations by one side cannot be used to justify violations by the other.<\/p>\n The humanitarian system is hanging by a thread. \u00a0226\u00a0of our own colleagues have been killed, many with their families. \u00a0I call for investigations and accountability for these killings.<\/p>\n At the same time, violence continues in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.\u00a0 Some 700\u00a0Palestinians and 14\u00a0Israelis have been killed since 7\u00a0October\u00a02023 \u2014 the highest number on both sides in more than two decades.\u00a0 The construction of new settlements, land-grabs, demolitions and settler violence all continue.<\/p>\n The Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice found that Israel\u2019s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful, and that Israel has an obligation to end it as rapidly as possible.<\/p>\n The General Assembly demanded that Israel should comply.\u00a0Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities continue to limit and prevent the international media from reporting from the Occupied Palestinian Territory.\u00a0 International media outlets are the eyes and ears of the world. \u00a0Journalists must be able to do their jobs everywhere.<\/p>\n Shockwaves radiating from the unprecedented death and destruction in Gaza now threaten to push the entire region into the abyss: \u00a0a full-scale conflagration with unimaginable consequences.<\/p>\n Monday was the bloodiest day in Lebanon since\u00a02006.\u00a0Today, Israel Defense Forces struck civilian buildings in Beirut, saying they had targeted Hizbullah\u2019s main headquarters located underneath.\u00a0 War in Lebanon could lead to further escalation involving outside powers.<\/p>\n I fully support the proposal for a temporary ceasefire \u2014 allowing for the delivery of humanitarian relief and paving the way for the resumption of serious negotiations for a durable peace across the Blue Line.\u00a0 We need this ceasefire now.\u00a0 We cannot afford endless negotiations, as we have on Gaza.\u00a0 We must avoid a regional war at all costs.<\/p>\n Gaza remains the epicentre of the violence.\u00a0 And Gaza is key to ending it.\u00a0 Gaza is the most dangerous place in the world for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. \u00a0But our colleagues continue to do their utmost to fulfil their humanitarian mission.<\/p>\n The recent polio vaccination campaign shows what humanitarian agencies can do when they are allowed to carry out their vital work.\u00a0 But crossing points into Gaza remain restricted or inaccessible. \u00a0Roads are damaged and littered with unexploded ordnance.<\/p>\n Essential items, including shelter kits and protective equipment, are prohibited.\u00a0 So far this month, almost half of coordinated humanitarian movements in Gaza were denied access or otherwise impeded by the Israeli authorities.\u00a0 Eighty-seven per cent of movements between the north and south were denied or impeded.\u00a0 Instead of scaling up humanitarian operations, we see a scaling up of attacks and harassment against humanitarian personnel.<\/p>\n On 28\u00a0August, Israeli forces opened fire on a clearly marked World Food Programme\u00a0(WFP) armoured vehicle that was part of a convoy that had been coordinated with the Israeli military authorities. \u00a0Ten bullets hit the windows of the vehicle.<\/p>\n On 9\u00a0September, a UN convoy that had been fully coordinated with Israeli forces was stopped at Al-Rashid checkpoint on its way to support the polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza.\u00a0 Soldiers pointed their weapons directly at the convoy personnel. \u00a0The clearly marked UN vehicles were encircled by Israeli forces and live shots were fired.<\/p>\n The convoy was approached by two Israeli tanks and a bulldozer. \u00a0The rear tank rammed the UN vehicles from the back, compacting the convoy with 12\u00a0humanitarian workers inside.\u00a0 The bulldozer dropped debris on the first vehicle, while soldiers threatened the UN and non-governmental organization\u00a0(NGO) personnel inside.<\/p>\n Actions like this create significant risks to UN and other humanitarian personnel.\u00a0 Attacks on humanitarians are an unacceptable assault on the values of the Â鶹APP and must stop.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the indispensable work of the Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(UNRWA) cannot be undermined by attacks against its people and mandate, and by administrative obstacles.<\/p>\n I urge the Israeli authorities to do everything in their power to end attacks on UN personnel and property; to stop spreading disinformation against UN officials and entities; and to speed up the approval of visas and procurement requests.<\/p>\n All parties must abide by their obligations to protect humanitarian personnel and ensure that civilian sites are not used for military purposes.\u00a0 The Â鶹APP will continue to support all efforts towards sustainable peace, starting with an end to the violence.<\/p>\n The death spiral must end \u2014 for Gaza, for the people of Palestine and Israel, for the region and for the world.\u00a0 International humanitarian law must be respected.\u00a0 Civilians \u2014 and civilian infrastructure \u2014 must be protected.\u00a0 Aid must flow freely and safely.\u00a0 And there must finally be accountability.<\/p>\n The key to peace in the region is a political solution.\u00a0 All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally, and the international community must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire and the beginning of an irreversible process towards the end of the Occupation and the creation of a Palestinian State.<\/p>\n I urge the Council to unite in support of an immediate ceasefire leading to a viable two-State solution.\u00a0 That is the only way to end this cycle of tragedy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 27 September 2024 9734th Meeting Watch Secretary-General’s Remarks on UN Web TV Following are UN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres\u2019 remarks to the Security Council briefing on Gaza, in New York today: Almost one year has passed since the horrific acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on 7\u00a0October\u00a02023.\u00a0 I repeat my 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