War in Gaza: UN chief “dismayed” that conflict continues despite Ramadan
The UN Secretary General said on Monday March 11 that he was “
appalled
” by the continuation of the conflict in Gaza despite Ramadan, calling for “
silencing the guns
” and releasing the hostages to “
honor the spirit
” of holy month of Muslims.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a meeting of the Human Rights Council at the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, February 26, 2024. © Denis Balibouse / Reuters
By: RFI with AFP
Advertisement
Read more
“
Today marks the start of the holy month of Ramadan, a time when Muslims around the world celebrate and spread the values of peace, reconciliation and solidarity.
But even with the start of Ramadan, deaths, bombings and carnage continue in Gaza
,” lamented
Antonio Guterres
.
“
I am appalled and outraged that the conflict continues in
Gaza
during this holy month
,” he said, before continuing: “
families seeking protection from Israeli bombings are struggling to survive, while hunger and poverty malnutrition sets in.
This is heartbreaking and completely unacceptable.
»
“
My vibrant appeal today is to honor the spirit of Ramadan
by silencing the guns
and removing all obstacles so that life-saving humanitarian assistance can take place at the pace and on the massive scale needed
,” he said. added the secretary general.
Today marks the start of Ramadan, yet the bloodshed continues in Gaza.
My appeal is to honor the spirit of the holy month by silencing the guns & removing all obstacles to the delivery of lifesaving aid.
I also repeat my call for the immediate release of all hostages.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 11, 2024
130 hostages still in Gaza
“
At the same time, and in the spirit of compassion of Ramadan, I call for the immediate release of all the hostages
,” he demanded in particular.
According to Israel, 130 hostages are still in Gaza, 31 of whom are believed to have died, out of around 250 people kidnapped during Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7.
“
The eyes of the world are watching us.
History is watching us.
We cannot look away
,” insisted Antonio Guterres, while the Israeli offensive left 31,112 dead in the Gaza Strip, the majority civilians, according to the Hamas Ministry of Health.
He also expressed alarm at a possible Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, which would "
push the population of Gaza even deeper into the circles of hell
."
He also repeated his call, launched last week, for a ceasefire in Sudan for the holy month of Ramadan, "
in the interest of the population who are suffering hunger, horrors and an indescribable ordeal
".
“
In Gaza, Sudan, and beyond, the time for peace has come.
I call on political, religious and community leaders everywhere to do everything in their power to ensure that this sacred time is a time of empathy, action and peace
.”
My most pressing appeal today is to honor the spirit of Ramadan by silencing the guns.
At the same time, and in the spirit of compassion of Ramadan, I call for the immediate release of all hostages.
For months, leaders have called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate release of all hostages.
But the most urgent voices came from the families of the victims of these wars.
Families of Israeli hostages who shared their torment and anguish - and Palestinian families who shared heartbreaking testimonies of family members killed in Israeli bombings and pleaded for an immediate ceasefire.
Today, I also renew my call for a cessation of hostilities in Sudan during Ramadan.
The fighting must stop for the sake of the Sudanese people who face hunger, horror and untold hardship.
In Gaza, Sudan and beyond, now is the time for peace!
01:04
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has renewed calls for ceasefires, particularly in Gaza and Sudan, as Ramadan begins today.
In the same spirit, the Security Council voted for a ceasefire request in Sudan on Friday.
Carrie Nooten
Read alsoWar in Gaza: facing Biden, Netanyahu “is especially interested in one thing: keeping his coalition”
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your inbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
Share :
Continue reading on the same themes:
Gaza
Israel
UN
Israelo-Palestinian conflict
Antonio Guterres