UN re-emphasises call for humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza

The United Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, has appealed for a humanitarian ceasefire as the war in Gaza continues to claim the lives of innocent children, women and old people. The official said the failure to reach a two-state solution might plunge the entire area into conflict for years and generations to come…

A top UN official has called for a humanitarian ceasefire on Friday as more casualties are recorded in the 14-day-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, said this as he addressed the UN Security Council during a meeting on “peace through dialogue.”

He noted that “the dangerous and escalating situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory is a bitter reminder of the urgent need for an end to the horrific violence and immediate humanitarian ceasefire, and the pathway to negotiations towards just lasting and comprehensive political solution.”

He emphasized that the failure to reach a two-state solution might plunge the entire area into conflict for years and generations to come.

Also speaking, Sergio Danese, Brazil’s UN ambassador, voiced his concern over the “very long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians” and condemned the Security Council which he said has lost its credibility and legitimacy.

During the same session, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet stated that as the world commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, human rights are experiencing opposition in all regions.

Israel has descended heavily on Gaza since the surprise aggression by Hamas. The attacks by the Israeli Defence Force put the entire enclave under a blockade, leaving about 2.3 million residents with little food, water, fuel and medical supplies.