“The Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal to the Government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas to make the extra effort necessary to achieve an agreement and put an end to the current suffering,” said Guterres’ spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, in communicated.
According to the note, Guterres “is deeply concerned” about the possibility that a large-scale military operation in Rafah could be imminent.
“We are already seeing movements of people — many of whom are in desperate humanitarian conditions and have been repeatedly displaced. They are seeking safety so often denied,” Dujarric noted.
The Secretary-General “reminds parties that the protection of civilians is fundamental to international humanitarian law”, the statement concludes.
The Palestinian group Hamas announced today that it had accepted a ceasefire proposal, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, to suspend the war that has been ongoing for almost seven months with Israel in the Gaza Strip.
The truce proposal in question includes a three-phase ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, but will still have to be approved by Israel, according to sources close to the talks.
So far, the official position of the Israeli authorities is still unknown, although, according to media outlets such as public radio Kan and Channel 12 news, the agreement accepted by Hamas does not have a ‘green light’ from Israel.
For several months now, Egypt and Qatar have been mediating talks between Israel and Hamas, seeking to find a solution to the war triggered by the attack by the Islamist movement on Israeli territory, on October 7th, which has since been followed by retaliation in large scale of Tel Aviv forces in the Gaza Strip.
MYMM (ANC/HB/RJP)// RBF
Lusa/End
Tags: Guterres reiterates urgent appeal agreement current suffering
