UN warns no effective measures to protect civilians in Gaza

On December 8, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the international community to make every effort to end the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue, Secretary-General Guterres warned that the humanitarian assistance system in Gaza is facing the risk of complete collapse, which would lead to serious consequences.

He stressed that there are currently no effective measures to protect civilians.

Mr. Guterres estimated that more than 17,000 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 4,000 women and 7,000 children, since the conflict broke out on October 7.

The fighting has left tens of thousands of people injured, many missing. Air, land and sea attacks have increased, with 339 educational institutions, 26 hospitals, 56 medical facilities, 88 mosques and 3 churches targeted.

The conflict has left more than 60% of homes in Gaza destroyed or damaged, and about 85% of the population displaced.

He also cited the World Food Programme (WFP) warning of the risk of severe famine in Gaza.

In northern Gaza, 97% of households do not have enough food. In the south, the rate among those forced to flee their homes is 83%.

Gaza’s health system is collapsing while demand is rising. Hospitals have been heavily bombarded, with only 14 of 36 health facilities still functioning, Guterres said. At least 286 health workers have been killed.

In addition, Mr. Guterres also opposed Hamas's attacks on Israeli territory, which killed 1,200 people in this country.

He called on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release the approximately 130 people still being held by the force, ensure humanitarian treatment and allow visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross until their release.

He urged the United Nations Security Council to push for an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and facilitate urgent deliveries of relief supplies.

On the same day, Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, urged UN member countries to take action to implement an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, in the context of people in the area seriously lacking food, fuel, clean water and medicine.

Meanwhile, 17 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) have submitted a draft resolution urging Israel to comply with its obligations under international law to protect humanitarian workers in Gaza.

The draft will be considered at a special session on December 10 convened by the WHO Executive Board to discuss the health situation in Gaza.