On May 26, Israeli aircraft carried out strikes on a camp for displaced persons in Rafah. War in Gaza: UN Secretary General condemns strikes on Rafah Peace and Security
The Secretary-General condemned in the strongest terms the airstrikes on Rafah that resulted in the casualties of internally displaced persons on 26 May. Photos of the dead and wounded, including many young children, left the UN chief deeply saddened. He reiterated the need to immediately stop actions that lead to human suffering. This is stated in a statement made on behalf of the UN head by his press secretary.
The Secretary-General, as noted in the document, mourns “the more than 36 thousand Palestinians and approximately 1,500 Israelis killed as a result of ongoing violence, including the horrific terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Israel on October 7, 2023, the devastating Israeli attack “The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is currently being exacerbated by unscrupulous actions that are artificially leading to famine,” the Secretary General continued. The Secretary General again demanded an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. He recalled recent rulings of the International Court of Justice, which are binding and must be implemented. “Israeli authorities must allow, facilitate and ensure the immediate, safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need, and all crossing points must be opened in accordance with Security Council resolution 2720 (2023),” the statement said. In accordance with Security Council resolution 2712 (2023), humanitarian organizations must have full, rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to provide assistance to all civilians in need throughout Gaza, Guterres emphasized. “We must work quickly to restore safety and dignity to the affected population, and restore hope to them,” he urged. This will require urgent efforts to support and strengthen the new Palestinian government and its institutions, including helping the Palestinian Authority resume its mandate in Gaza, the UN Secretary-General said. The UN Secretary-General is confident that the suffering of the past seven months has intensified the absolute need for Israelis, Palestinians, regional states and the entire international community to take urgent steps that will allow the parties to re-enter the “long-delayed political path to achieving a two-state solution.” The United Nations, Guterres assured, will continue to support these efforts.