2023-10-18 11:15:45
The Secretary General of the UN, the Portuguese António Guterrescalled this Wednesday (10/18/2023) for the first time for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas, giving enough time and space “to alleviate the human suffering (of) epic proportions” caused by the current conflict .
Through his X (Twitter) account, Guterres added: “Too many lives, in addition to the fate of the entire region, hang in the balance.” In recent days, the UN chief has issued several statements calling for alleviating the suffering of civilians or facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid into Gazabut had not yet requested the ceasefire as such.
The petition, although addressed to all parties, is interpreted as a request to Israel, which together with its allies demands its “right to defend itself” following the terrorist attacks suffered on October 7 by Hamas militiamen. This same day, and within the framework of the forum on the New Silk Roads, which takes place in Beijing (China), Guterres declared that said action by Hamas “cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”
Release of hostages
In the same instance, Guterres also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all the kidnapped by Hamas. It is estimated that some 199 people, both Israelis and foreigners, are in the hands of the radical group. Likewise, he called on Israel to “immediately” allow “unrestricted” access to humanitarian aid, to cover the “most basic needs of the people of Gaza, the vast majority of whom are women and children.”
It was probably the massacre of the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza, following a bombing that left hundreds dead yesterday, according to some sources, which might have influenced Guterres’ new position, who on Tuesday also issued another statement in which he said he felt “horrified.” “for what happened in Gaza, and for which Israelis and pro-Palestinian militiamen accuse each other of responsibility.
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