UN chief condemns Israeli airstrikes that killed civilians in Gaza

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a strong condemnation of recent Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip that resulted in significant civilian casualties. Through spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres specifically denounced "the killings due to Israeli airstrikes of civilians in Gaza yesterday, including many children" and condemned "all actions that undermine the ceasefire and endanger civilian lives."

Ceasefire Violations and Civilian Impact

The UN chief's statement came in response to reports of Israeli military actions that violated the ceasefire agreement established on October 10. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, these renewed attacks have killed more than 100 Palestinians since Tuesday evening, including 46 children, with an additional 253 people injured. The Secretary-General stressed "the importance of the parties and renewed assurances to implement the ceasefire," emphasizing that these "commitments must be upheld in full" and that "any acts that risk harm to civilians or obstruct humanitarian operations must be avoided."

International Diplomatic Efforts and Humanitarian Response

Dujarric acknowledged the ongoing diplomatic initiatives by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United States aimed at de-escalating the situation. He also reported that the UN and its partner organizations "are rapidly scaling up our presence across Gaza, working intensively to deliver lifesaving assistance to communities in need." This humanitarian surge comes as the population faces severe shortages of essential supplies and medical care following the recent escalation.

Long-Term Conflict Statistics

The recent violence adds to the devastating toll of the ongoing conflict. Ministry data indicates that since the October 10 ceasefire took effect, at least 211 people have been killed and 597 others injured in Israeli attacks. The broader context reveals an even more staggering human cost, with Israel's military operations in Gaza since October 2023 resulting in more than 68,600 fatalities, predominantly women and children, and over 170,600 injuries.