By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

Guterres, Wennesland and Hastings had much to say about the situation in Gaza during the UN Security Council special meeting on Tuesday. 

The UN Security Council is holding on Tuesday, October 24, an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East and the Palestinian issue in particular, following the escalation of violence and deadly Israeli war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General:

“It is important to also recognize that Hamas attacks did not happen in a vacuum”.

• • The attacks on Israel on October 7 do not justify the collective punishment taking place in Gaza.
  • Gaza’s fuel supplies will run out in a few days, causing a humanitarian catastrophe.
  • We cannot lose sight of the realistic basis for peace and stability, which is the two-state solution.
  • We renew the call for an immediate ceasefire on humanitarian grounds.
  • The people of Gaza need continuous assistance to meet their enormous needs.
  • Humanitarian aid must enter the Gaza Strip without any restrictions.
  • Nothing can justify the deliberate killing and kidnapping of civilians or the launching of missiles at civilian targets.
  • We must stand up to anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
  • No party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law.
  • At least 35 United Nations employees were killed as a result of the Israeli bombing of Gaza.
  • Fortunately, some aid has finally started entering Gaza, but it is a drop in the ocean in terms of Gaza’s needs.
  • I am deeply concerned about the clear violations of international humanitarian law we are witnessing in Gaza.

🎥 #UNSC UPDATE

UN-SECRETARY GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES: It is important to also recognize the attacks by #Hamas did not happen in a vacuum.

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— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) October 24, 2023

Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process:

The unresolved conflict and the continued occupation burden every Palestinian and every Israeli.

• • The attacks on Israel on October 7 do not justify the collective punishment taking place in Gaza.
  • Gaza’s fuel supplies will run out in a few days, causing a humanitarian catastrophe.
  • We cannot lose sight of the realistic basis for peace and stability, which is the two-state solution.
  • We renew the call for an immediate ceasefire on humanitarian grounds.
  • The people of Gaza need continuous assistance to meet their enormous needs.
  • Humanitarian aid must enter the Gaza Strip without any restrictions.
  • Nothing can justify the deliberate killing and kidnapping of civilians or the launching of missiles at civilian targets.
  • We must stand up to anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
  • No party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law.
  • At least 35 United Nations employees were killed as a result of the Israeli bombing of Gaza.
  • Fortunately, some aid has finally started entering Gaza, but it is a drop in the ocean in terms of Gaza’s needs.
  • I am deeply concerned about the clear violations of international humanitarian law we are witnessing in Gaza.

Lynn Hastings, UN Coordinator for the Humanitarian Situation in the Palestinian Territories:

We welcome the entry of aid into Gaza, but it is a drop in the ocean.

• • I urge Israel to allow fuel into Gaza.
  • The aid that recently entered Gaza did not include fuel.
  • We welcome the entry of aid into Gaza, but it is a drop in the ocean.
  • Civilians must have access to protection and their basic needs.
  • Gaza doctors perform surgeries without anesthesia.
  • 42% of all buildings in Gaza were completely or partially damaged.
  • There is no safe area in the Gaza Strip.
  • I renew the Secretary-General’s call for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
  • All parties must ensure the protection of civilians.
  • Without fuel, our humanitarian operations in Gaza will cease.

(The Palestine Chronicle)