GAZA STRIP – Gaza is “fast becoming a graveyard for children”, the secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) has warned.
António Guterres warned that the situation in the enclave “more than a humanitarian crisis, it is a crisis of humanity”.
“Hundreds of girls and boys are reportedly being killed or injured every day,” Guterres told a news conference, on the eve of the first full month since Hamas launched its attack on Israel, and the Israeli military responded with retaliatory strikes.
Guterres again called for an immediate ceasefire.
His remarks were criticized by Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, who wrote “shame on you” on X – formerly known as Twitter – tagging the UN boss in the post.
“More than 30 minors – among them a nine-month-old baby as well as toddlers and children who witnessed their parents being murdered in cold blood – are being held against their will in the Gaza Strip,” he said, adding: “Hamas is the problem in Gaza, not Israel’s actions to eliminate this terrorist organization.”
As the fighting enters its fifth week, it shows no sign of easing, with the latest figures from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry suggesting 10,022 people have now been killed in the enclave – including 4,104 children – since Israel’s campaign began.
Israel began bombing Gaza after Hamas killed more than 1,400 people in Israel and kidnapped more than 200 others.
Its air strikes on the Gaza Strip have intensified. It said it is targeting Hamas infrastructure, and is minimizing civilian deaths
The Israeli military said on Monday it hit 450 Hamas targets in the past 24 hours, including anti-tank missile launch pads
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says 10,022 people, including 4,104 children, have been killed in the territory since Israel’s campaign began.
Meanwhile, the French Ambassador to the UN has called for a “humanitarian truce” in Gaza.
Following a closed-door meeting of the Security Council, Ambassador Nicolas De Rivière said such a truce should be durable and lead to a ceasefire.
This position seems to differ from other Western allies such as the US and the UK, who say a ceasefire would only benefit Hamas.
Earlier on Monday, John Kirby, US National Security spokesman, said the US did not believe a general ceasefire was “appropriate at this time”.
De Rivière also said that France would host a humanitarian conference in Paris on Thursday in an effort to get additional aid for Gaza. (BBC)
