Briefing ambassadors within the Safety Council, Assistant Secretary-Normal for the Center East Khaled Khiari stated greater than 1,000 Palestinians had been killed since mid-June alone, a lot of them whereas looking for support.
Citing figures from the Gazan well being authorities, he reported that the overall variety of Palestinian fatalities since 7 October 2023 had surpassed 56,500.
“The extent of struggling and brutality in Gaza is insufferable,” Mr. Khiari stated. “The continued collective punishment of the Palestinian individuals is unjustifiable.”
Killed making an attempt to entry support
Mr. Khiari cited a number of incidents involving the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) opening fireplace close to meals distribution factors.
On 17 June, at the very least 50 individuals had been killed and 200 injured in Khan Younis when an IDF tank opened fireplace on a crowd ready for UN World Meals Programme (WFP) support vehicles.
As soon as once more every week later, IDF troops reportedly opened fireplace close to Gaza Humanitarian Basis websites, this time killing 49 Palestinians and injuring 197 others.
“We strongly condemn the lack of lives and accidents of Palestinians looking for support in Gaza,” Mr. Khiari stated. “We name for a right away and impartial investigation into these occasions and for perpetrators to be held accountable.”
He emphasised that the UN “won’t take part in any support supply modality that doesn’t adjust to the elemental humanitarian rules of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality,” a sentiment which different UN officers have repeatedly stated as properly.
Sturdy condemnation
Mr. Khiari reiterated the UN’s sturdy condemnation of Hamas and different Palestinian armed teams for his or her assaults in Israel, which killed over 1,200 individuals and led to greater than 250 being taken hostage. Fifty hostages, together with one girl, stay in captivity.
“Nothing can justify these acts of terror. We stay appalled that hostages could also be subjected to ongoing ill-treatment and that the our bodies of hostages proceed to be withheld,” he stated.
On the similar time, he additionally condemned “the widespread killing and damage of civilians in Gaza, together with kids and ladies, and the destruction of houses, colleges, hospitals and mosques.”
Rising violence within the West Financial institution
Within the occupied West Financial institution, Israeli raids and settler violence have escalated.
Mr. Khiari reported {that a} 15-year-old boy and an aged girl had been killed in separate incidents on 25 June. Armed settlers additionally killed a number of Palestinians throughout assaults in Surif and Kafr Malik.
“The escalating violence within the occupied West Financial institution is alarming,” Khiari stated, warning that army operations and settler enlargement are resulting in fatalities, displacement and destruction.
Iran-Israel ceasefire brings hope to the area
Mr. Khiari concluded his briefing with feedback on the broader Center East area, significantly the current flare-up between Israel and Iran.
He welcomed the 24 June ceasefire settlement between the 2 nations, introduced by US President Donald Trump, and credited US and Qatari mediation.
“We hope that this ceasefire may be replicated within the different conflicts within the area – nowhere is that this extra wanted than in Gaza,” he stated.
