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- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Secretary-General's message to mark one year since the attacks of 7 October 2023
07 October 2024
Secretary-General's message to mark one year since the attacks of 7 October 2023
Today marks one year since the horrific events of October 7th when Hamas launched a large-scale terror attack in Israel killing over 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals, including children and women.
More than 250 people were abducted and taken to Gaza, including many women and children.
The October 7th attack scarred souls – and on this day we remember all those who were brutally killed and suffered unspeakable violence – including sexual violence – as they were simply living their lives.
This is a day for the global community to repeat in the loudest voice our utter condemnation of the abhorrent acts of Hamas, including the taking of hostages.
Over the course of the past year, I have met with the families of hostages…learned more about the lives, hopes and dreams of their loved ones…and shared in their anguish and pain.
I cannot imagine the torture they are forced to endure every day. I request once again the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
Until then, Hamas must allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit those hostages.
The 7th of October is naturally a day to focus on the events of that awful day. I express my solidarity with all the victims and their loved ones.
Since October 7th, a wave of shocking violence and bloodshed has erupted.
The war that has followed the terrible attacks of one year ago continues to shatter lives and inflict profound human suffering for Palestinians in Gaza, and now the people of Lebanon.
I have spoken out about this often and clearly.
It is time for the release of the hostages. Time to silence the guns. Time to stop the suffering that has engulfed the region. Time for peace, international law and justice.
The United Nations is fully committed to achieving those goals.
In the midst of so much bloodshed and division, we must hold on to hope.
Let us honor the memory of the victims, reunite families and end the suffering and violence in the whole Middle East.
And let us never stop working for a lasting solution to the conflict where Israel, Palestine and all other countries of the region can finally live in peace and dignity and with respect for one another.
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Gaza
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Gaza
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General condemns the death of at least 18 people, including children, women, and six UNRWA staff, in Israeli airstrikes that hit a school serving as a shelter in Nuseirat on 11 September. This incident raises the number of UNRWA staff killed in this conflict to 220. The IDF stated that they had targeted a command-and-control centre in the compound. This incident must be independently and thoroughly investigated to ensure accountability.
The continued lack of effective protection for civilians in Gaza is unconscionable. Civilians and the infrastructure they rely on must be protected and the essential needs of civilians met. The Secretary-General calls upon all parties to refrain from using schools, shelters, or the areas around them for military purposes. All parties to the conflict have the obligation to comply with international humanitarian law at all times.
The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. This horrific violence must stop.
[END]
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Gaza
10 September 2024, New York
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Gaza
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General strongly condemns today's Israeli air strikes in a densely populated Israeli-designated zone in Khan Younis and the killing of civilians, including women and children.
The use of heavy weapons in densely populated areas is unconscionable.
Displaced Palestinians had moved to this area in Khan Younis in search for shelter and safety after being repeatedly instructed to do so by the Israeli authorities - but there is no safe place in Gaza.
Today’s attack comes as humanitarian workers yesterday faced one of the most horrific assaults on their ability to deliver life-saving vaccines. Twelve UN staff members, whose movement was fully coordinated with Israeli forces and whose details were shared in advance, were stopped at a checkpoint on their way to northern Gaza to support the polio vaccination campaign. Israeli forces fired live shots and the UN convoy was compacted by a military tank and a bulldozer with our staff inside. The convoy was held at this checkpoint for seven and a half hours and ultimately unable to fulfill its humanitarian mission. The Secretary-General strongly condemns this incident.
The Secretary-General once again recalls that international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attack, must be complied with at all times by all parties to the conflict. He also calls for the protection of civilians, including aid workers, as well as the facilitation of humanitarian access.
The Secretary-General reiterates once again his calls to reach an immediate deal on a ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the occupied West Bank
28 August 2024, New York
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the occupied West Bank
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the latest developments in the occupied West Bank, including Israel's launch today of large-scale military operations in Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas governorates, involving the use of airstrikes, which resulted in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. He strongly condemns the loss of lives, including of children.
The Secretary-General calls for an immediate cessation of these operations.
He calls on Israel to comply with its relevant obligations under international humanitarian law and to take measures to protect civilians and ensure their safety. He urges security forces to exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when it is strictly unavoidable to protect life.
All those injured must have access to medical care, and humanitarian workers must be able to reach everyone in need.
These dangerous developments are fueling an already explosive situation in the occupied West Bank and further undermining the Palestinian Authority.
The Secretary-General is also deeply concerned by the recent dangerous and provocative acts and statements by an Israeli Minister at the Holy Sites in Jerusalem. He stresses the importance of maintaining the status quo at the Sites.
Ultimately, only an end to the occupation and a return to a meaningful political process that will establish a two-state solution will bring an end to the violence. The United Nations will continue to work with all parties towards this end, to seek a de-escalation of the current situation and promote stability in the region.
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Note to Correspondents: Attack on School in Gaza
Note to Correspondents: Attack on School in Gaza
The Secretary-General condemns the continued loss of life in Gaza, including women and children, as we witness yet another devastating strike by Israel on the Al-Taba’een school in Gaza City, sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinian families, with scores of fatalities, amidst continued horror, displacement, and suffering in Gaza.
The Secretary-General is dismayed to see that the provisions of UN Security Council resolution 2735 (2024) remain unimplemented. He welcomes the mediation efforts of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar leaders, and urges both sides to rejoin negotiations and conclude the ceasefire and hostages release deal.
The Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages. He also again underscores the need to ensure the protection of civilians and for unimpeded and safe humanitarian access into and across Gaza. The Secretary-General underlines that international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attack, must be upheld at all times.
[END]
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the Situation in the Middle East
31 July 2024
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the Situation in the Middle East
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General believes that the attacks we have seen in South Beirut and Teheran represent a dangerous escalation at a moment in which all efforts should instead be leading to a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all Israeli hostages, a massive increase of humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza and a return to calm in Lebanon and across the Blue Line.
Rather than that, what we are seeing are efforts to undermine these goals.
The Secretary-General has consistently called for maximum restraint by all. It is increasingly clear, however, that restraint alone is insufficient at this extremely sensitive time. The Secretary-General urges all to vigorously work towards regional de-escalation in the interest of long-term peace and stability for all.
The international community must work together to urgently prevent any actions that could push the entire Middle East over the edge, with a devastating impact on civilians. The way to do so is by advancing comprehensive diplomatic action for regional de-escalation.
[END]
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Secretary-General's Remarks to Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
REMARKS TO CALL FOR ACTION:
URGENT HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE FOR GAZA
Dead Sea, Jordan, 11 June 2024
[As delivered]
Your Majesty King Abdullah [ibn Al Hussein],
Your Excellency President [Abdel Fattah] el-Sisi,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for coming together for this urgent Call to Action for lifesaving relief to the people of Gaza that are under fire in the most dramatic circumstances.
It is now 8 months since the horrific Hamas terror attacks of 7 October and the abduction of Israeli men, women, and children to Gaza.
But 8 months of relentless suffering for Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the speed and scale of the carnage and killing in Gaza is beyond anything in my years as Secretary-General.
At least 1.7 million people – 75 per cent of Gaza’s population – have been displaced, many times over by Israel military attacks.
Nowhere is safe.
Conditions are deplorable.
The public health situation is beyond crisis levels.
Gaza’s hospitals lie in ruins.
Medical supplies and fuel are scarce or non-existent.
More than one million Palestinians in Gaza do not have enough clean drinking water and face desperate levels of hunger.
Over 50,000 children require treatment for acute malnutrition.
And despite the ocean of needs, at least half of all humanitarian aid missions are denied access, impeded, or cancelled due to operational or security reasons.
On top of all this, since the attack on the Rafah border crossing one month ago, the flow of critical humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza – which was already woefully inadequate – has plummeted by two-thirds.
Excellencies,
In the face of this calamity, the world has tried its best to save lives.
And I want to express my gratitude to Egypt and Jordan for all their efforts.
Your Majesty, through you, allow me to thank the people of Jordan for the relief provided -- including through aid convoys, airdrops, and field hospitals.
We all appreciate immensely your personal commitment to mobilize the international community and your persistent call for a robust coordination mechanism for the unimpeded and safe flow of sufficient aid to the people of Gaza. I urge the international community to support Jordan’s efforts as it undertakes its critical role assisting the people of Gaza and serving as a key regional humanitarian hub.
President el-Sisi, I also want to commend your critical leadership and that of the government and people of Egypt -- not only in supporting humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza in so many ways, but also for your pivotal role in seeking an end to this tragic conflict and building a foundation for sustainable peace.
And, of course, we all salute the brave humanitarians in Gaza working in nightmare conditions to stem the suffering.
Our Palestinian humanitarian colleagues, in particular, are working against enormous obstacles and near impossible conditions.
Imagine their lives and circumstances.
Showing up for work when their homes are destroyed and their loved ones killed.
Putting themselves in humanitarian convoys, even when they have been fired upon.
Without those courageous individuals, the aid operations in Gaza would collapse.
And UNRWA is the backbone of this humanitarian response, and it has suffered intolerably alongside the people it supports.
I express my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the 193 UNRWA staff members who have been killed.
There must be full accountability for each and every one of these deaths.
Attacks on UN personnel and premises are unacceptable.
Excellencies,
The horror must stop.
It is high time for a ceasefire along with the unconditional release of hostages.
I welcome the peace initiative recently outlined by President Biden and urge all parties to seize this opportunity and come to an agreement.
And I call on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.
This includes facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid both into and inside Gaza, as they have committed.
All available routes into Gaza must be operational.
And the land routes are absolutely crucial.
I also welcome all coordinated efforts to fully operationalize the mechanism to facilitate aid into Gaza as mandated by Security Council Resolution 2720.
The work of the Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator to accelerate and expand the rollout of the mechanism remains critical. I commend governments and people across the region and the world for supporting it.
The security of UNRWA and our humanitarian partners is vital to moving lifesaving aid over the border and where it needs to go within Gaza.
Deliveries require safe routes and effective deconfliction mechanisms to ensure their security.
They require unimpeded access for security and communications equipment, commensurate with the risks of working in a war zone.
They require immediate efforts to clear routes inside Gaza, which are littered with mines and unexploded ordnance.
Civilians must be allowed to seek safety. And civilians and the infrastructure they rely on must never be militarized or targeted.
Excellencies,
I also call for the world to stand united to safeguard UNRWA in the face of outrageous and relentless attacks.
UNRWA’s role will remain critical not only during the conflict, but afterwards.
Over a million deeply traumatized children in Gaza need psychosocial support and the safety and hope their schools used to provide.
Around 60 per cent of all residential buildings and at least 80 per cent of commercial facilities have been damaged by Israeli bombardment. Health facilities and educational institutions are in rubble.
Only UNRWA has the capacity, skills, and networks needed to support the Palestinian people to face the immense challenge on health, on education and so much more.
Excellencies,
Ultimately, the solution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is political.
The only way forward is through a political solution that opens a path to sustained peace, based on two states, Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace and security, on the basis of the pre- 1967 lines and the relevant United Nations resolutions, previous agreements and international law, with Jerusalem as capital of both states.
Let us keep working to make that a reality – as we work to answer today’s call to action for Palestinians in Gaza in such profound and immediate need.
And I thank you.
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Gaza
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on Gaza
The Secretary-General has condemned in the strongest terms the 26 May air strikes on Rafah hitting tents sheltering displaced people. He is heartbroken by the images of the killed and injured, including many small children. As he has said before, the horror and suffering must stop immediately.
The Secretary-General grieves for the over 36,000 Palestinians and some 1,500 Israelis killed in the relentless violence, including the gruesome acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Israel on 7 October 2023, the devastating Israeli assault on Gaza, the continued indiscriminate rocket launches towards Israel. The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is now compounded by the unconscionable prospect of a man-made famine.
The Secretary-General reiterates his demand for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. He recalls the recent orders of the International Court of Justice, which are binding and must be complied with.
The Israeli authorities must allow, facilitate and enable the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian supplies assistance to those in need and all crossing points must be open in line with Security Council resolution 2720 (2023). Humanitarian organizations must have full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to reach all civilians in need across Gaza, in line with Security Council Resolution 2712 (2023).
We must work expeditiously to restore security, dignity and hope for the affected population. This will require urgent efforts to support and strengthen the new Palestinian Government and its institutions, including preparing the Palestinian Authority to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza. We must also move forward with tangible and irreversible steps to create a political horizon.
The devastation and misery of the past seven months have reinforced the absolute need for Israelis, Palestinians, the States of the region and the broader international community to take urgent steps that will enable the parties to re-engage on the long-delayed political path to achieve a two-State solution. The UN will continue to support all such efforts.
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
New York, 28 May 2024
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Gaza
26 May 2024, New York
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Gaza
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General welcomes today's passage of life-saving humanitarian assistance and fuel from Egypt into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
With more than 800,000 people displaced from Rafah due to hostilities and evacuation orders since 6 May, the Secretary-General stresses that civilians must be protected and their essential needs met – including access to food, shelter and clean water.
With the humanitarian operation near collapse, the Secretary-General emphasizes that the Israeli authorities must facilitate the safe pickup and delivery of humanitarian supplies from Egypt entering Kerem Shalom to those in need. He underscores the need for all crossing points to be open in line with Security Council resolution 2720 (2023) and for humanitarian organizations to have full, safe and unhindered access to reach all civilians in need across Gaza.
The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate ceasefire and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages to end the suffering of civilians. He’s dismayed by the lack of implementation of the recent orders of the International Court of Justice regarding the situation Gaza. He reminds the parties that decisions of the Court are binding.
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
The Secretary-General Remarks To The Press - On The Middle East
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
REMARKS TO THE PRESS - ON THE MIDDLE EAST
New York, 7 May 2024
We are at a decisive moment for the Palestinian and Israeli people and for the fate of the entire region.
An agreement between the Government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas is essential to stop the unbearable suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and of the hostages and their families.
It would be tragic if weeks of intense diplomatic activity for peace in Gaza, yield no ceasefire. No release of hostages. And a devastating offensive in Rafah.
I reiterate my appeal for both parties to show the political courage and spare no effort to secure an agreement now.
To stop the bloodshed. To free the hostages. And to help stabilize a region which is still at risk of explosion.
This is a crucial opportunity that the region – and indeed the world – cannot afford to miss.
Yet things are moving in the wrong direction.
I am disturbed and distressed by the renewed military activity in Rafah by the Israeli Defence Forces.
The closure of both the Rafah and Karem Shalom crossings is especially damaging to an already dire humanitarian situation. They must be re-opened immediately. Just to give an example; we risk running out of fuel this evening.
I urge the Government of Israel to stop any escalation, and engage constructively in the ongoing diplomatic talks.
After more than 1,100 Israelis killed in the Hamas terror attacks of 7 October … after more than 34,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, haven’t we seen enough?
Haven’t civilians suffered enough death and destruction?
Make no mistake – a full-scale assault on Rafah would be a human catastrophe.
Countless more civilian casualties. Countless more families forced to flee yet again – with nowhere safe to go.
Because there is no safe place in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the repercussions will be felt far beyond, in the occupied West Bank, and across the region.
Rafah is the epicenter of humanitarian operations in Gaza.
Attacking Rafah will further upend our efforts to support people in dire humanitarian straits as famine looms.
International humanitarian law is unequivocal: civilians must be protected – whether they leave Rafah or stay in the city.
International humanitarian law must be respected by both parties.
I also remind Israel of its obligation to facilitate the safe and unimpeded access of humanitarian aid and staff into and across Gaza.
Even the best friends of Israel are clear:
An assault on Rafah would be a strategic mistake, a political calamity, and a humanitarian nightmare.
I appeal to all those with influence over Israel to do everything in their power to help avert even more tragedy.
The international community has a shared responsibility to promote a humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and a massive surge in life-saving aid.
It is time for the parties to seize the opportunity and secure a deal for the sake of their own people. Thank you.
[END]