By Nadine Osman
London, (The Muslim News): In a rare joint statement, leaders of all 18 major United Nations agencies expressed outrage at the civilian death toll in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire. However, UK opposes a ceasefire. Instead Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants a humanitarian cease fire.
“For almost a month, the world has been watching the unfolding situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory in shock and horror at the spiralling numbers of lives lost and torn apart,” said the UN chief in a statement issued on Sunday.
The UN and NGO chiefs, including the leaders of UNICEF, UN Women, the World Food Program, the World Health Organization and Save the Children, described the killings of both Israelis and Palestinians over the past month as “horrific”.
“An entire population is besieged and under attack, denied access to the essentials for survival, bombed in their homes, shelters, hospitals and places of worship. This is unacceptable,” said the UN in a joint statement.
It called on Hamas to release the more than 240 hostages it took in its surprise October 7 attack, , which killed more than 1,400 people, and urged both sides to respect their obligations under international law as the war rages on.
The UN leaders said more food, water, medicine and fuel must be allowed into Gaza to help its besieged population as Israel attacks with the stated goal of destroying Hamas.
“We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. It’s been 30 days. Enough is enough. This must stop now,” the statement said.
The agencies also said “It is unacceptable that the population of Gaza is being denied essential goods and services as well as being bombed in their homes, shelters, hospitals and places of worship.”
“More than 100 attacks against health care have been reported. Scores of aid workers have been killed since October 7 including 88 UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency] colleagues – the highest number of United Nations fatalities ever recorded in a single conflict,” they said.
The UK remains opposed to a ceasefire, despite the plea for one made by all the heads of UN agencies. A spokesman for the Prime Minister told The Muslim News, that although both the Prime Minister and the foreign secretary “ continue to advocate for humanitarian pause” the UK will not advocate for “a full ceasefire which will allow Hamas to regroup, particularly given their stated intentions.”
The spokesman acknowledged that Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused for a humanitarian pause, requested by US, UK and Europe. When the spokesman was asked whether Netanyahu has agreed with humanitarian pause, he replied, “At this time, no.”
At least 4,008 children have been killed by Israel’s bombardment of Gaza as the death toll after nearly a month of Israeli bombings hits 9,770, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Israel has occupied Palestinian territories West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, for decades and has waged several previous assaults on the besieged enclave.
Additional report by Ahmed J Versi
[Photo: Palestinian children injured in Israeli indiscriminate attacks in Gaza being treated at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al Balah, Gaza on 5 11 23. Photojournalist Ashraf Amra/ AA]
