As the conflict between Israeli occupation forces and Hamas rages on, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issues a heartfelt plea, emphasizing the urgent need to prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians in Gaza.
He warned that the Gaza Strip is tragically evolving into what he terms "a graveyard for children," as the violence continues to take a heavy toll on innocent lives.
Guterres expressed deep concern about the ongoing ground operations by the Israel Defense Forces and the relentless bombardment, which have not spared hospitals, refugee camps, mosques, churches, and even UN facilities, including shelters.
He emphasized that "no one is safe," and decried the clear violations of international humanitarian law that are being committed. Guterres reiterated his appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to end the suffering.
UN calls for $1.2 billion in aid
The United Nations is urgently seeking $1.2 billion in funds to provide assistance to the people of Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
This support is crucial for 2.2 million individuals in Gaza and 500,000 others in the West Bank who are affected by the conflict. The scale of this response, coupled with operational constraints, presents an unprecedented challenge, as highlighted by the UN humanitarian agency, OCHA.
The funds will be allocated for critical needs, including healthcare, food, water, shelter, education, and more.
The UN has clarified that this funding estimate does not cover the costs of early recovery and reconstruction, which will be determined once the security situation permits the necessary assessments to take place.
Death toll continues to rise
The death toll from the ongoing conflict continues to rise. As of now, over 10,022 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israeli attacks on Gaza, and an additional 152 have been killed in the occupied West Bank since October 7.
On the other side, more than 1,400 people have lost their lives due to Hamas's attacks on Israel.
Israeli FM's Response
Israel's Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, has vehemently criticized UN Secretary-General Guterres for his repeated appeals for humanitarian relief in Gaza. Cohen had previously called for Guterres to resign following the secretary-general's remarks linking the October 7 Hamas attacks to a broader context.
In response to Guterres's latest statement, Cohen exclaimed, "Guterres, shame on you!" He reiterated the position that the issue in Gaza lies with Hamas and not with Israel's actions to combat it.
UNRWA workers killed in Gaza strikes
In a distressing development, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that five of its staff members have lost their lives in recent strikes across the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours.
The agency, dedicated to providing aid and support to Palestinian refugees, is now grappling with the tragic loss of its personnel amid the ongoing conflict.
The situation in Gaza remains extremely precarious as the international community grapples with the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.
