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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India, Vietnam elevate ties to enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership; set USD 25 bn
New Delhi (PTI): India and Vietnam on Wednesday elevated their ties to an enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership and set a USD 25 billion annual trade target by 2030 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese President To Lam held talks focusing on expanding bilateral ties in areas of trade, defence, and critical minerals in the face of increasing geopolitical upheavals.
Following the Modi-Lam meeting, the two sides signed as many as 13 agreements which will provide for deeper two ways engagements in a range of areas including digital payments, rare earth minerals, pharmaceuticals, education, banking and culture.
Modi and Lam also deliberated on the situation in the Indo-Pacific amid China's increasing assertiveness in the region, and agreed to continue to contribute to the rule-of-law, peace, stability, and prosperity.
It is understood that China's growing military muscle-flexing in the South China Sea also figured in the delegation-level talks between the two sides.
Elected as president earlier this month, Lam began his first state visit to India on Tuesday, leading a high-level delegation for a three-day trip.
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"A decade ago, Vietnam became India's first comprehensive strategic partner in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) . Since then, our relations have made rapid and comprehensive progress," Modi said in his media statement.
"Building on this strong foundation, today we are elevating our relations to the level of Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We will now advance our partnership to even higher goals," he said.
"Our cooperation will reach new levels in every area ' culture, connectivity, and capacity building, as well as security, sustainability, and supply chain resilience," Modi added.
He noted that the bilateral trade between India and Vietnam has doubled in the last decade to reach USD 16 billion and that the target now is to increase it to USD 25 billion by 2030.
Modi also cited a plethora of agreements signed between the two countries to emphasis that the economic engagement is expected to witness a significant upswing going forward.
"The MoU between our drug authorities will now increase access to Indian medicines in Vietnam. Exports of Indian agricultural, fisheries, and animal products to Vietnam are also set to become easier. Very soon, Vietnam will taste India's grapes and pomegranates," he said.
The two sides also agreed to update the India-ASEAN trade agreement by the end of this year.
"This will provide a new impetus to trade and investment between India and all ASEAN countries. New initiatives in critical minerals, rare earths, and energy cooperation will ensure the economic security and supply chain resilience of both countries," Modi said.
"To boost financial connectivity, we have today decided to enhance cooperation between our central banks. India's UPI and Vietnam's fast payment systems will soon be linked. Furthermore, we are strengthening state-to-state and city-to-city cooperation between the two countries," he noted.
Modi said India is grateful to Vietnam for its strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and standing with India in its fight against terrorism.
"In this era of global turmoil and economic challenges, thanks to their talent, good governance, and economic reforms, India and Vietnam are emerging as the world's fastest-growing economies," he said.
"Now, through our enhanced strategic partnership, we will support each other's rapid growth. As the Buddha's teachings say, 'If you light a lamp for someone else, it also illuminates your own path'," Modi said.
He also described Vietnam a a key pillar of India's Act East Policy and Vision Ocean.
"In the Indo-Pacific region as well, we share a common outlook. Through our strengthening defence and security cooperation, we will continue to contribute to the rule-of-law, peace, stability, and prosperity," he said.
The prime minister said India will broaden its relations with ASEAN with Vietnam's cooperation.
In his remarks, Lam said both sides agreed to deepen political trust and elevate security cooperation.
Last year, the two sides inked a pact to set up a framework for submarine search, rescue and support mechanism. They also signed a letter of intent (LoI) to strengthen bilateral defence industry collaboration.
