Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism – based on UN website, the UN Secretary-General on Friday issued an urgent appeal for all parties involved in this week’s escalation of violence in the occupied Palestinian enclave of Gaza, and Israel, to “immediately cease the fighting”, or risk creating an “uncontainable security and humanitarian crisis”.
“The ongoing military escalation has caused great suffering and destruction”, said a statement issued on behalf of António Guterres by his Spokesperson. “It has claimed scores of civilian lives, including, tragically, many children. The fighting has the potential to unleash an uncontainable security and humanitarian crisis and to further foster extremism, not only in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, but in the region as a whole. “
The UN chief called for meditation efforts to intensify and said the UN was “actively involved in such efforts”, which are also key to maintaining the lifesaving flow of aid to Gaza.
The UN humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA) also raised the alarm on Friday over the continued escalation of violence, noting that civilians on both sides were bearing the brunt.
In a statement, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the region, Lynn Hastings, said some 10,000 Palestinians had fled their homes in Gaza, with limited access to water, food, hygiene, and health services. Hospitals and access to water and sanitation services depend on electricity, the fuel for which will run out on Sunday, she added.
