Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation: UN Chief slams Israel
Says protecting civilians doesn't mean bombing one million people after asking them to evacuate
New York: In a strong plea before the 15-member UN Security Council on Tuesday, October 24, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, condemning the violations of international law occurring in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian armed group, Hamas.
The conflict escalated dramatically after Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7. In response, Israel has relentlessly bombarded the besieged Gaza Strip, resulting in significant casualties. Israeli authorities have reported at least 1,400 people killed, while authorities in Gaza, governed by Hamas, claim the death toll to be at least 5,791. Additionally, more than one million people have been displaced due to the violence.
Guterres expressed concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel cut off supplies of essential resources, including water, food, fuel, and electricity, to the enclave's 2.3 million residents. The UN has characterized this act as a form of collective punishment, emphasizing the severe impact on civilians.
Addressing the Security Council, Guterres underscored the need to protect civilians and warned that the ongoing fighting could escalate into a broader regional conflict. He acknowledged the complex historical context, stating, "The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation." However, he condemned the attacks by Hamas as "appalling" and emphasized that these actions could not justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
“It is important to also recognise the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum. The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation,” Guterres said.
Guterres also criticized Israel's actions without explicitly naming the country. He condemned the practice of ordering over one million people to evacuate to the south, where there is a lack of essential resources, only to continue bombing the area. The UN chief called Hamas' attack "horrifying and unprecedented" and demanded the immediate release of approximately 200 people captured and held captive by the group.
“Protecting civilians does not mean ordering more than one million people to evacuate to the south, where there is no shelter, no food, no water, no medicine and no fuel, and then continuing to bomb the south itself,” he added.
Despite limited humanitarian aid entering Gaza from the Egyptian side, Guterres emphasized that the assistance provided was insufficient compared to the overwhelming need. He described the current aid efforts as "a drop of aid in an ocean of need."
Israel's UN Ambassador, Gilad Erdan, strongly criticized Guterres' speech, particularly taking issue with the statement that "the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum." Erdan accused Guterres of sympathizing with terrorism and murder, expressing disappointment in the UN chief's perspective.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
— In Context (@incontextmedia) October 24, 2023
"The attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum. The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation." pic.twitter.com/OmaNgfC6kH
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Congress MLC Abdul Jabbar suspended from primary membership of party
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President DK Shivakumar has passed an order suspending Member of the Legislative Council Abdul Jabbar from the primary membership of the party.
Shivakumar, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, has stated in his order that the MLC is to be suspended with immediate effect.
Jabbar is said to have been suspended for his alleged anti-party activities during the by-election to the Davanagere South Assembly constituency.
