Israel must “immediately” end its large-scale military offensive in the occupied West Bank, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday.
Guterres strongly condemned “the loss of lives, including of children,” and called for “an immediate cessation of these operations.”
The secretary-general “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,” his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said in a statement.
Guterres emphasized that the 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,” Dujarric said.
“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,” he added.
Source: WAFA
