On November 5, 2023, the heads of all the major United Nations have issued a rare joint statement expressing outrage at the civilian death toll in Gaza and called for an immediate humanitarian cease fire in the war between Israel and Hamas. “For almost a month, the world has been watching the unfolded situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory in shock and horror at the spiraling numbers of lives lost and torn apart.
The heads of 18 organisations including the UNICEF, the World Food Program, and the World Health Organisation described the death and horrific toll on both sides since the October 7, 2023 Hamas cross border attack from Gaza to Israel which left about 1400 people dead mainly civilians according to Israeli authorities.
UN Statement
Israel has retaliated with relentless air and artillery strikes that have killed at least 9770 people also mostly civilians say the Hamas run health ministry in Gaza. In Gaza, the UN Statement said: “An entire population is besieged under attack and denied access to essentials for survival, bombed in homes, shelters and place of worship. This is unacceptable.”
It also called on Hamas to release the more 240 hostages it took under its attack and urged both sides to respect their obligations under international law as the war rages on. The UN leaders said more food and water, medicine and fuel must be allowed in Gaza to help its besieged populations as Israel attacks with the stated goal of destroying Hamas. “We need an immediate ceasefire. It has been 30 days. Enough its enough. This must stop now, the statement said.
Plea for Ceasefire
More than 100 attacks against healthcare have been reported. Scores of aid workers have been killed since October 7, 2023, including 88 United Nations Personnel (United Nations Relief and Work Agency), the highest numbers of UN fatalities, mostly civilians have been killed in Hamas attack on Southern Israel, according to authorities.
The Joint plea called for the immediate and unconditional release of all the civilians held hostage and demanded the protection of civilians and the vital infrastructure they rely on including hospitals, shelters, and schools. More aid-food, water, medicine, and fuel must enter Gaza safely especially women and children, where ever they are, the heads of agencies said.
The UN and Humanitarian Organisations said that 23,000 people are injured and need critical treatment and the condition is such that hospitals are overstretched. Even as the US kept urging Israel to take a paused from its relentless aerial and artillery bombing of Gaza that caused more than significant deaths, Israeli airstrikes have killed two refugee camps in Gaza killing at least 53 people and wounded several others.
