April 6, 2024
2 mins read

Guterres Urges Paradigm Shift in Israel’s Gaza Strategy

Guterres demanded an investigation into those killings, noting that investigation can only work with the cooperation of the Israeli authorities….reports Asian Lite News

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a paradigm shift in Israel’s military strategy in Gaza and in aid delivery to save lives.

Following this week’s appalling killing of seven humanitarian workers from World Central Kitchen, the Israeli government has acknowledged mistakes and announced some disciplinary measures, Guterres said on Friday. “But the essential problem is not who made the mistakes, it is the military strategy and procedures in place that allow for those mistakes to multiply time and time again.”

Fixing those failures requires independent investigations and meaningful and measurable change on the ground, he said at a press encounter as the Gaza conflict is about to become six months old.

In its speed, scale and inhumane ferocity, the war in Gaza is the deadliest of conflicts — for civilians, for aid workers, for journalists, for health workers, and for UN staff. Some 196 humanitarian aid workers, including more than 175 UN staff members, have been killed, Guterres was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying.

An information war has added to the trauma, obscuring facts and shifting blame. Denying international journalists entry into Gaza is allowing disinformation and false narratives to flourish, he said.

Guterres demanded an investigation into those killings, noting that investigation can only work with the cooperation of the Israeli authorities.

“One hundred and ninety-six humanitarian workers have been killed, and we want to know why each one of them was killed,” he said.

In the aftermath of the killing of World Central Kitchen staff, the United Nations was informed by the Israeli government of its intention to allow a substantial increase in humanitarian aid distributed in Gaza, said Guterres. “I sincerely hope that these intentions are effectively and quickly materialized because the situation in Gaza is absolutely desperate.”

Dramatic humanitarian conditions require a quantum leap in the delivery of life-saving aid — a true paradigm shift, he said.

Guterres repeated his urgent appeals for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire, the unconditional release of all hostages, the protection of civilians, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.

Last week, the Security Council called for just that in its Resolution 2728. In December, the council demanded, in another resolution, accelerating the delivery of life-saving aid under a UN mechanism. All those demands must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable, he said.

“Six months on, we are at the brink of mass starvation, of regional conflagration, of a total loss of faith in global standards and norms. It’s time to step back from that brink, to silence the guns, to ease the horrible suffering, and to stop a potential famine before it is too late,” said Guterres.

ALSO READ: Judges, intel experts call for halt to Israeli arms sales

Previous Story

Yellen Urges China to Address Industrial Overcapacity

Next Story

Russia evacuates 4,000 people after dam burst

Latest from -Top News

India Evacuates More Nepalis from Iran

The Nepal Embassy officials and MEA representatives received them at the New Delhi airport, as they departed for Butwal in Nepal….reports Asian Lite News The Nepal Embassy in New Delhi on Thursday

US Bipartisan Bill Targets China-Controlled AI

The bill, backed by Reps. Ritchie Torres and Darin LaHood and Senators Rick Scott and Gary Peters, mandates the Federal Acquisition Security Council to regularly update a list of AI tools developed

Hardliners eye Dhaka comeback

Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi, Secretary General of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam, noted that efforts to bring these parties together had been in motion for years, but challenges remain in achieving consensus on the modalities

Over 7,000 Afghans return overnight

This latest influx is part of a broader, ongoing trend of mass returns—often under duress—from neighbouring Iran and Pakistan, where millions of Afghans have lived for decades, many without legal documentation. A
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Antonio strongly condemns assassination attempt against Iraqi PM

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the foiled assassination

Antonio strongly encourages respect for all religions

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly encourages respect for all religions,