UN Calls for Urgent Ceasefire as Gaza Crisis Worsens
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates, the United Nations (UN) is urgently urging a humanitarian ceasefire to avoid further loss of life and worsening conditions in the Gaza Strip. Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has emphasized that an immediate ceasefire is a matter of life and death for millions of people.
Lazzarini expressed concerns about the collective punishment of Palestinians by Israeli forces and the potential breakdown of civil order, citing the looting of aid warehouses by desperate individuals in search of food and supplies. He warned that such actions could render it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the UN’s largest agency in Gaza to continue its operations.
In an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Lazzarini, along with the heads of UNICEF and a senior UN humanitarian official, provided updates on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where over a million people have been displaced. The meeting took place 23 days after Hamas launched surprise attacks on Israel, resulting in numerous casualties.
Disturbingly, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, more than 8,300 civilians, including over 3,400 children, have lost their lives, and tens of thousands of others have been injured since Israel’s retaliatory military action against Hamas began. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell called attention to the shocking fact that more than 420 children in Gaza are either being killed or injured every day, surpassing the annual number of child casualties in conflict zones worldwide since 2019.
While many speakers at the meeting condemned Hamas’ attacks on Israel and called for the release of hostages taken to Gaza by the militant group, they also stressed Israel’s responsibility to protect civilians and essential infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law. The United States aimed to strike a balance between supporting Israel’s mission to eliminate Hamas and upholding international law to prevent civilian casualties.
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield acknowledged the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and emphasized the need to address Palestinian civilian needs, affirm Israel’s right to self-defense, and uphold international humanitarian law. She called on Hamas to cease using Palestinians as human shields and on Israel to take all possible precautions to avoid harming innocent civilians.
While the focus of the meeting was on the plight of Palestinian civilians, Israel’s Ambassador Gilad Erdan questioned why the humanitarian needs of Gazans were the sole focus. He and other Israeli diplomats wore large yellow stars, symbolizing their commitment to defending themselves against terrorism and their determination to ensure that the atrocities of the past, such as the Holocaust, are never repeated.
The Palestinian U.N. ambassador, Riyad Mansour, also urged the Security Council to demand an end to the bloodshed, describing it as an affront to humanity and a clear and imminent threat to regional and international peace and security.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed calls for a ceasefire, stating that they equate to surrendering to Hamas and terrorism. He emphasized the need for Israel to defend its citizens from the forces of barbarism.
As the conflict continues, the UN’s urgent plea for a humanitarian ceasefire remains paramount. The international community must strive for a resolution that prioritizes the lives and well-being of millions of people caught in this devastating conflict.
