Cairo: Secretary-General of the United Nations H E Antonio Guterres has emphasised that the grievances of the Palestinian people are legitimate and longstanding and that the broader context of these tragic events cannot be ignored within the longstanding conflict and 56 years of occupation with no end in sight.
Speaking at the Cairo Peace Summit yesterday, Guterres said he witnessed in his visit to the Rafah border crossing on Friday a real-time humanitarian catastrophe. He saw two million people on the other side of the border without access to water, food, fuel, electricity, and medicine, including children, mothers, and the elderly. He pointed out that trucks were full on one side and empty on the other.
He said the people of Gaza need more than that, particularly the continuous delivery of aid to Gaza in the required quantities. He underlined that the UN must work tirelessly with all parties to achieve this. He noted that no attack by Hamas or any other entity can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
Guterres called for respect for international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, which includes the protection of civilians, and not attacking hospitals, schools, and UN facilities that currently shelter half a million people. Guterres called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, stressing that the only realistic basis for genuine peace and stability is the two-state solution and that must not be overlooked. He said Israelis must see their legitimate needs for security fulfilled, and Palestinians must see their legitimate aspirations for an independent state fulfilled, in line with UN resolutions, international law, and previous agreements.
