United Nations.-As the conflict in the Gaza Strip grows, Palestinian authorities today call for humanitarian intervention to prevent what many see as a catastrophe.
This occupied territory’s ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, described the situation in this region as terrible after Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel last Saturday and responded with a call for war against the densely populated Gaza area. .
The situation is extremely terrible for our civilian population and the destruction is unimaginable, the diplomat told reporters.
Mansour added that diplomatic efforts, including contacts with the Security Council, would continue to urge the international community to support an end to the violence.
Palestinians’ national rights and aspirations “must be fulfilled, and there is a global consensus on this, the two-state solution for living in peace and harmony as good neighbors, which would require the end of the occupation,” he stressed.
According to the diplomat, the path to peace requires Israel to recognize the existence of Palestine; “that we are human beings and that we have national rights and aspirations.”
In this sense, the Palestinian representative condemned the neighboring country’s hate speech to ignore its people.
“If you keep repeating this and expecting different results than what you get, namely more and more tragedy, pain, hatred and an intensification of the conflict, then you are deceiving yourself, you are not living the reality,” he added.
This Wednesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for avoiding further escalation, protecting civilians and promoting diplomatic efforts amid the worrying increase in tensions.
The UN chief said he was concerned about exchanges of fire on the Blue Line and in southern Lebanon as the conflict worsens.
“I appeal to all parties – and those who have influence over them – to avoid further escalation and collateral effects,” he added in statements to the media.
Guterres deplored the loss of life, especially of the Agency’s personnel who, he recalled, work day and night to support the people of Gaza.
Civilians must be protected at all times; International humanitarian law must be respected and defended, he said.
He estimated that nearly 220,000 Palestinians are currently being housed in 92 UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees facilities across the Gaza Strip.
United Nations facilities and all hospitals, schools and clinics must never be attacked, he stressed.