United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for an “immediate cessation” of Israeli military operations in the occupied Palestinian territory on Wednesday. This appeal comes on the heels of a series of large-scale Israeli airstrikes on August 28, which killed 58 people and injured 131 others. Notably, these strikes included an airstrike on a girl’s school in central Gaza Strip, significantly raising the overall toll of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Guterres urged Israel to adhere to its obligations under international humanitarian law and to ensure the protection of civilians. His call for a ceasefire came after a July ruling from the International Court of Justice, which found Israel’s settlement and occupation activity in Palestinian territories to be in violation of international law. He also criticized statements from Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir regarding plans to build a synagogue on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, a site sacred to Muslims.
In addition to calling for an end to the Israeli occupation, Guterres advocated for a return to a political process aiming to establish a two-state solution. This stance marks a development from his earlier call for a humanitarian pause in mid-August. Guterres also emphasized the need for de-escalation and stability in the Middle East, especially after recent conflicts between Israel and Lebanon. On August 25, Israel conducted airstrikes on Lebanon, which responded with rocket attacks. This tension was eventually eased after both sides expressed a desire to avoid further escalation (Reuters).
For more details on Guterres’ statement, visit the full article on JURIST.