Madrid (Spain), May 17 (LaPresse) – UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that violence in Gaza must stop “immediately” and that the “blockade” of humanitarian aid imposed by Israel must end.
“Nothing justifies this collective punishment” of Palestinians, he said while speaking at the 34th Arab League summit in Baghdad, Iraq.
Guterres also reiterated his rejection of the forced displacement of Gaza’s population and called for “a permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid to end the blockade.”
He expressed concern over reports that Israel may expand ground operations in the Strip and stressed that the UN “will not participate in any so-called aid operation that does not respect international law and the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality.”
Guterres also renewed his appeal to support, including financially, the work of UNRWA.
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