Source The United Nations
Media www.rajawalisiber.com – Speaking at a summit focused on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Beijing today (18 Oct), UN chief António Guterres said that a ceasefire would “provide sufficient time and space” to realize two essential appeals which he made earlier this week: to Hamas, for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages held in Gaza, and to Israel, to immediately allow aid to enter the sealed-off enclave in the throes of a devastating humanitarian crisis.
“The region is on the precipice,” he warned.
The call came a day after hundreds were killed in a strike at Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, which Guterres strongly condemned, stressing that hospitals and all medical personnel are protected under international law.
Both sides have blamed each other, with Gaza’s de facto authorities accusing the Israeli military, who in turn held misfired rockets launched by Islamic Jihad militants towards Israel responsible.
The UN Security Council is set to meet on Wednesday morning in New York to discuss the crisis, with diplomatic tensions rising in the wake of the deadly hospital blast.