UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed himself as “deeply concerned” on Tuesday about the “intensification of the conflict” between Israel and Hamas, warning of the risk of a “dangerous development beyond Gaza.”
“I am very concerned about the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza. This includes the expansion of IDF ground operations accompanied by intense airstrikes, as well as the ongoing launch of…
“I am very concerned about the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza. This includes the expansion of IDF ground operations accompanied by heavy attacks on air, as well as the continuous rocket fire from Gaza towards Israel,” Guterres said in a statement, criticizing the price paid by civilians.
After reiterating its condemnation of the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel and its demand for the release of more than 200 Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist group, it also “condemned” the deaths “of civilians in Gaza.”
“I am concerned by reports that two-thirds of the dead are women and children,” he added, stressing that the rules of humanitarian law “are not an à la carte menu and cannot be applied selectively.”
“I am very concerned about the risk of a dangerous escalation beyond Gaza, and I urge all leaders to use the greatest restraint to avoid a wider conflagration,” he insisted, repeating his call for an “immediate” humanitarian ceasefire.
