Guterres considered that it would be tragic if weeks of intense diplomatic activity for peace in Gaza did not produce a ceasefire, the release of hostages and even “a devastating offensive” in Rafah.
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The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, admitted this Tuesday that he was “disturbed and distressed” with renewed military activity in Rafah and urged Israel to end any escalation and engage constructively in ongoing diplomatic talks.
Speaking to the press at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, Guterres considered that it would be tragic if weeks of intense diplomatic activity Peace in Gaza did not produce a ceasefire, the release of hostages and even “a devastating offensive” in Rafah.
“After more than 1,100 Israelis were killed in the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7… after more than 34,000 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, haven’t we seen enough? Have civilians not suffered enough death and destruction?“asked the general secretary.
“Make no mistake: a large-scale attack on Rafah will be a human catastrophe. In addition to countless civilian victims. Countless families were forced to flee again, with nowhere to go, because there is no safe place in Gaza,” he stressed.
According to the former Portuguese prime minister, the situation is going “in the wrong direction”, also considering the closure of the Rafah and Karem Shalom crossings as “especially detrimental” to an already serious humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave.
“They must be reopened immediately”he urged.
Source: Observadora
