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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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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