Guterres: There is no reason to continue collective punishment of Palestinians

Secretary General said To the United Nations Antonio GuterresToday, Monday, the protracted conflict… Gaza “This will increase the risk of escalation and miscalculation,” he said, stressing that nothing could justify collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

At a press conference in New York, Guterres also called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in the war in Gaza that has lasted for more than 100 days.

He emphasized that “the number of civilian deaths in Gaza within 100 days is unprecedented in any conflict since I took office, and the majority of the dead were women and children.”

“We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to ensure aid reaches those in need, facilitate the release of hostages and extinguish the flames of a wider war,” he said.

He also expressed concern about the expansion of the conflict into Lebanon or other areas, saying: “We do not see in Lebanon what we saw in Gaza, and we cannot allow what is happening in Gaza to continue.”

He continued, “The specter of famine looms over Gaza’s residents, bringing with it the risk of disease, malnutrition and other health threats.”

It is worth noting that according to United Nations statistics, the Gaza Strip has a population of 2.2 million, more than 85% of which are displaced and are suffering from a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with most of them on the verge of famine. According to international agencies, the amount of humanitarian assistance is very low due to severe shortages of food, water, fuel and medicine, despite a United Nations resolution on this issue.

According to United Nations statistics, since October 7 last year, the Israeli occupying forces have launched a devastating war against the Gaza Strip, resulting in 24,100 deaths, approximately 60,832 injuries, and the displacement of more than 85% of the population of the Gaza Strip. .