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- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Secretary-General’s statement on the situation in Gaza
31 October 2023 New York/Kathmandu
Secretary-General’s statement on the situation in Gaza
I am deeply alarmed by the intensification of the conflict between Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza. This includes the expansion of ground operations by the Israel Defense Forces accompanied by intense air strikes, and the continued rocket fire towards Israel from Gaza.
Civilians have borne the brunt of the current fighting from the outset. Protection of civilians on both sides is paramount and must be respected at all times.
I repeat my utter condemnation of the acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October. There is never any justification for the killing, injuring and abduction of civilians. I appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of those civilians held hostage by Hamas.
I condemn the killing of civilians in Gaza and I am dismayed by reports that two-thirds of those who have been killed are women and children.
I mourn and honour the United Nations colleagues who have tragically been killed in the bombardment of Gaza over the past three weeks. My heart goes out to the families of our colleagues who lost their lives in service.
International humanitarian law establishes clear rules that cannot be ignored. It is not an a la carte menu and cannot be applied selectively.
All parties must abide by it, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution.
With too many Israeli and Palestinian lives already lost, this escalation only increases the immense suffering of civilians.
The level of humanitarian assistance that has been allowed into Gaza up to this point is completely inadequate and not commensurate with the needs of people in Gaza, compounding the humanitarian tragedy.
I reiterate my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for unimpeded humanitarian access to be granted consistently, safely and to scale in order to meet the urgent needs created by the catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
I remain deeply concerned about the risk of a dangerous escalation beyond Gaza and urge all leaders to exercise utmost restraint to avoid a wider conflagration.
Secretary-General’s statement - on the situation in Gaza | United Nations Secretary-General
- Security Council Resolutions
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Excerpts from Secretary-General's joint press encounter with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’
29 October 2023 Kathmandu, Nepal
Excerpts from Secretary-General's joint press encounter with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’
Good afternoon.
It is a great pleasure to be back in beautiful Nepal.
The Prime Minister and I have just had a very productive meeting and I thank him for his wonderful hospitality. Indeed, the warm welcome that I received in Nepal is something I will never forget.
We are living in difficult and tense times. I know that even though the conflict in the Middle East is thousands of miles away, it has hit very close to home for the people of Nepal.
I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the ten Nepalese students killed in the terror attacks by Hamas in Israel on 7 October, and my best wishes for the safe return of Mr. Bipin Joshi, who is missing.
I have just arrived here from Qatar and I will continue to insist on the immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages in Gaza.
And I repeat my utter condemnation of the appalling attacks perpetrated by Hamas. There is no justification, ever, for the killing, injuring and abduction of civilians.
The situation in Gaza is growing more desperate by the hours. I regret that instead of a critically needed humanitarian pause supported by the international community, Israel has intensified its military operations.
The number of civilians who have been killed and injured is totally unacceptable.
All parties must respect their obligations under International Humanitarian Law.
That Law emerged from the tragedy and awful experiences of war. I have always been consistent in my call for strict compliance of the well-established principles and rule of International Humanitarian Law.
The protection of civilians is paramount.
The Laws of War establish clear rules to protect human life and respect humanitarian concerns. Those laws cannot be contorted for the sake of expedience.
The world is witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe taking place before our eyes.
More than two million people, with nowhere safe to go, are being denied the essentials for life – food, water, shelter and medical care – while being subjected to relentless bombardment.
I urge all those with responsibility to step back from the brink.
And I reiterate my appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the delivery of a sustained humanitarian relief at a scale that meets the needs of the people of Gaza.
We must join forces to end this nightmare for the people of Gaza, Israel and all those affected around the world, including here in Nepal.
…
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Readout of the Secretary-General’s phone call with H.E. Mr. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
28 October 2023, Doha
Readout of the Secretary-General’s phone call with H.E. Mr. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
During a stopover in Doha, Qatar, the Secretary-General spoke by phone with H.E. Mr. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
They discussed the current situation in the Middle East and spoke about the coordination of humanitarian efforts for civilians in Gaza.
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
UN Secretary-General's statement on the situation in Gaza
28 October 2023 Doha, Qatar
UN Secretary-General's statement on the situation in Gaza
I am in Doha, where I met with His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, for consultations on the Middle East crisis. I expressed my deep gratitude, appreciation and support for the mediation initiatives of Qatar, namely for the release of the hostages kept in Gaza.
Regarding the situation in Gaza, I was encouraged in the last days by what seemed to be a growing consensus in the international community, including the countries supporting Israel, for the need of at least a humanitarian pause in the fighting to facilitate the release of hostages in Gaza, the evacuation of third country nationals and the necessary massive scale up of the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza.
Regrettably, instead of the pause, I was surprised by an unprecedented escalation of the bombardments and their devastating impacts, undermining the referred humanitarian objectives.
Given the breakdown in communications, I am also extremely concerned about the UN staff who are in Gaza to deliver humanitarian assistance.
This situation must be reversed. I reiterate my strong appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, together with the unconditional release of hostages and a delivery of humanitarian relief at the level that corresponds to the dramatic needs of the people in Gaza, where a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in front of our eyes.
I want to repeat what I said yesterday. This is the moment of truth. Everyone must assume their responsibilities. History will judge us all.
UN Secretary-General's statement – on the situation in Gaza | United Nations Secretary-General
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Statement by the Secretary-General on the humanitarian situation in Gaza [Arabic version included]
27 October 2023, New York
Statement by the Secretary-General on the humanitarian situation in Gaza [scroll down for Arabic version]
The humanitarian system in Gaza is facing a total collapse with unimaginable consequences for more than 2 million civilians.
As the bombing intensifies, needs are growing ever more critical and colossal.
About 500 trucks per day were crossing into Gaza before the hostilities began.
In recent days, an average of only 12 trucks per day have entered, despite needs being far greater than at any time before.
In addition, the supplies that have trickled in do not include fuel for United Nations operations – fuel which is also essential to power hospitals, water desalination plants, food production and aid distribution.
Given the desperate and dramatic situation, the United Nations will not be able to continue to deliver inside Gaza without an immediate and fundamental shift in how aid is going in.
The verification system for the movement of goods through the Rafah crossing must be adjusted to allow many more trucks to enter Gaza without delay.
We must meet the expectations and core needs of civilians in Gaza.
Life-saving humanitarian aid – food, water, medicine, fuel – must be allowed to reach all civilians swiftly, safely and at scale.
I welcome the growing global consensus for a humanitarian pause in the conflict. I repeat my call for a humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the delivery of life-saving supplies at the scale needed.
Misery is growing by the minute.
Without a fundamental change, the people of Gaza will face an unprecedented avalanche of human suffering.
Everyone must assume their responsibilities. This is a moment of truth. History is judging us all.
*****
بيان من الأمين العام بشأن الحالة الإنسانية في غزة
يواجه النظام الإنساني في غزة انهيارا تاما مع عواقب لا يمكن تصورها بالنسبة لأكثر من 2 مليون مدني.
ومع اشتداد القصف، تشتد الحاجة وتزداد ضخامتها.
فقبل بدء الأعمال العدائية، كانت نحو 500 شاحنة تعبر يوميا إلى غزة.
وفي الأيام الأخيرة، لا تدخل يوميا إلا 12 شاحنة في المتوسط، على الرغم من أن الاحتياجات أكبر بكثير منها في أي وقت مضى.
يضاف إلى ذلك أن الإمدادات الضئيلة التي تدخل لا تشمل الوقود اللازم لعمليات الأمم المتحدة - وهو وقود لا غنى عنه أيضا لتشغيل المستشفيات ومحطات تحلية المياه وإنتاج الأغذية وتوزيع المساعدات.
وبالنظر إلى الحالة اليائسة والمأساوية، لن تتمكن الأمم المتحدة من مواصلة تقديم المساعدات داخل غزة دون حدوث تحول فوري وأساسي في كيفية وصول المعونة.
إن نظام التحقق من حركة البضائع عبر معبر رفح يجب تعديله للسماح لعدد أكبر بكثير من الشاحنات بدخول غزة دون تأخير.
يجب علينا أن نلبي التوقعات والاحتياجات الأساسية للمدنيين في غزة.
يجب السماح للمساعدات الإنسانية المنقذة للحياة - الغذاء والماء والدواء والوقود - بالوصول إلى جميع المدنيين بسرعة وأمان وبالحجم اللازم.
وأرحب بتوافق الآراء العالمي المتزايد على هدنة إنسانية في الصراع. وأكرر دعوتي إلى وقف إطلاق النار لأسباب إنسانية، والإفراج غير المشروط عن جميع الرهائن، وإيصال الإمدادات المنقذة للحياة بالحجم المطلوب.
فحالة البؤس تزداد كل دقيقة.
وبدون تغيير جوهري، سيواجه سكان غزة سيلا غير مسبوق من المعاناة الإنسانية.
يجب أن يتحمل الجميع مسؤولياتهم. إنها لحظة مواجهة الحقيقة. والتاريخ سيحكم علينا جميعا.