UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is currently in Nepal on an official visit, has made an urgent appeal for the protection of civilians in Gaza as the situation continues to worsen.
Guterres’s visit comes as the crisis in Gaza enters its third week, following an attack by Hamas freedom fighters against Israeli border towns and Israel’s subsequent declaration of war. Ten Nepalese students were also killed in these attacks.
Last week, a Jordanian-led resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza was adopted by the UN, with support from Pakistan. However, the past few days have seen an escalation in Israel’s deadly bombings and reports of ground operations by Israel in Gaza.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Guterres expressed his condolences to the families of the Nepalese victims and stressed that there is no justification for the killing, injuring, and abduction of civilians.
Guterres also called for the safe return of Bipin Joshi, a missing Nepalese citizen, and pledged to continue demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages in Gaza.
Furthermore, Guterres acknowledged the dire situation in Gaza and expressed regret that instead of a humanitarian pause, Israel has intensified its military operations.
He emphasized the importance of respecting international humanitarian law and stated that the laws of war cannot be distorted for convenience.