News / Palestine

UN chief renews call for ceasefire in Israel’s genocidal Gaza war

Sunday, 12 May 2024 10:56 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 12 May 2024 10:56 AM ]

A woman mourns over the body of a child, who was injured during Israeli bombardment of a displaced persons camp, at a trauma ward at the Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, on May 11, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has reiterated his call for an immediate truce in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has been waging a genocidal war against Palestinians.

Guterres made the remarks in a video message to the 9th Conference on Effective Partnership for Better Humanitarian Aid in Kuwait on Sunday, amid the international community's outcry over Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

“I repeat my call – the world’s call – for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” he said.

“But a ceasefire will only be the start. It will be a long road back from the devastation and trauma of this war.”

The UN chief also demanded an immediate surge in aid to Gaza amid a humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged Palestinian territory

“Humanitarian agencies, led by UNRWA -- which is the backbone of the UN’s efforts in Gaza -- rely on strong partnerships to do their work,” he added.

Israel unleashed its brutal war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out a historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

The Tel Aviv regime has so far killed at least 34,971 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 78,641 others.

Israel signals rejection of ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas

Hamas says it has agreed to a ceasefire deal with Israel to pause the fighting in Gaza.

Recently, Hamas said that it has accepted an Egyptian-Qatari proposal, which includes a ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, an exchange of prisoners, reconstruction of the territory, and the lifting of Israel’s blockade.

However, Israel rejected the ceasefire deal, with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying a withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Gaza Strip would “leave Hamas intact.”

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