The United Nations calls for the release of hostages, appeals for protection and assistance for Gaza citizens – global issues

Rosemarie DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and Edem Vosornu, Director of Operations for the Humanitarian Coordination Wing, OCHA, briefing ambassadors at the Security Council against the backdrop of the recovery of the bodies of six hostages killed in Gaza. were The polio vaccination drive that started over the weekend. An urgent meeting was requested – separately – by both Algeria and Israel. According to media reports, Israel has called on the council to strongly condemn Hamas and address the dire situation of the hostages. The October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in southern Israel mark one year, in which more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed and nearly 250 were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. At least 101 hostages — including some remains of those declared dead — remain in Gaza, which is under an ongoing Israeli military offensive that has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to the Strip’s health officials. Heartbreaking news. DiCarlo recalled his meeting with the parents of Harsh Goldberg-Pollin, one of the hostages killed last November. He said that according to the Israeli government, the hostages had been shot several times at close range and had been killed by Hamas some time before the Israeli attack. was killed first. The soldiers managed to reach them inside a tunnel in Rafah. Under-Secretary-General DeCarlo briefed the Security Council. After the bodies were recovered, Hamas announced that militants guarding the hostages in Gaza buildings and tunnels had been given new instructions to kill the hostages first. They could be recovered alive by Israeli forces, he added. “I once again echo the words of the Secretary-General: all hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally,” Ms DiCarlo reiterated. In accordance with international legal obligations, they should be treated humanely and allowed to receive visits and assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). DiCarlo also provided an update on the situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, including the latest on Israel’s large-scale military operations, settler attacks and armed Palestinian violence against Israelis. “There seems to be no limit to the brutality of this conflict,” said Ms DiCarlo, accompanying Ms Vosornu at the ‘No Limits’ briefing to brutality, highlighting the death and destruction in the Gaza Strip. “We see this in the many attacks that have harmed humanitarian workers: 295 humanitarian workers have been killed since October 7. [2023]Many humanitarian assets, including several UN vehicles, have been “directly hit in more than a dozen separate incidents even though their movements were notified,” he added. outlining the consequences of food shortages, which limit the delivery of life-saving aid to people in desperate need, such as that experienced by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) on one of its convoys last week. Temporarily suspending staff activities after the attack. A wide view of the UN Security Council meeting. Polio pause, a rare ray of hope. The vaccination drive could begin. The horror in Gaza,” Ms. DeCarlo said, noting that the images of young children receiving their vaccinations amid the sheer destruction are “both moving and distressing.” He added that the arrangements established between UN agencies and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to prevent military activity in designated areas have been “respected so far”. Vosornu added that humanitarians – Despite the enormous challenges – remain on the ground, providing essential assistance, including food and shelter, as much as they can. Food rations are being distributed, though At lower levels, 14 tents assisted by humanitarian actors are also being distributed, although they are often insufficient to meet the needs of displaced families, especially. With the approaching cold and rainy season, he urged the council to “turn its promises into reality and end the suffering.” “We once again urge the members of the Council and all member states to achieve an immediate end to hostilities and a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, and to de-escalate the situation in the West Bank,” he urged Resolutions passed by the council promised an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. They also called for the release of hostages. Yet, months later, violence continues, killing thousands, and separating hostages from their families has gone.”
#United #Nations #calls #release #hostages #appeals #protection #assistance #Gaza #citizens #global #issues