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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider UN chief wary of humanitarian law violations in Israel-Hamas war; deplores UN workers' deaths

UN chief wary of humanitarian law violations in Israel-Hamas war; deplores UN workers' deaths

Published Nov 7, 2023 03:18 am

There have been clear violations of humanitarian law in the war between Israel-Hamas, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said (Manila time), prompting him to reiterate his appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire in the ongoing hostilities.

In a series of posts on X, Guterres said the protection of civilians "must be paramount" as the death toll on both sides continues to rise, particularly in Gaza, where people are reported killed everyday since the war started exactly a month ago.

"I am deeply concerned about clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing in the Middle East," Guterres said.

The Secretary General said civilians are "not a target" and "nobody is above international humanitarian law," as Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza, which according to Hamas-run Gaza health ministry already killed 10,000 people in the territory.

Guterres also said that there are more UN humanitarian workers who have been killed in recent weeks than in any other period in the agency's history.

"I join in the mourning of 89 of our @UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) colleagues who have been killed in Gaza—many of them with members of their family," he said.

With the Israel-Hamas war still has no end in sight and Hamas still keeps its hostages while Israel continues the bombardment, Guterres said that the "the way forward is clear." He pushed for a humanitarian ceasefire and respect for international humanitarian law.

He also demanded for the unconditional release of hostages, the protection of civilians, hospitals, UN facilities, shelters and schools as well as the ending use of civilians as human shields and asked for more humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

Guterres said a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza is now "getting more urgent with every passing hour."

"The parties to the conflict and the international community face an immediate & fundamental responsibility: Stop this inhuman collective suffering & dramatically expand humanitarian aid," he said.

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