UN Secretary General Guterres said he was “deeply alarmed by the intensification of the conflict” amid Israel’s expansion of operations in Gaza and ongoing bombardment.
“Civilians have borne the brunt of the current fighting from the outset. Protection of civilians on both sides is paramount and must be respected at all times,” he said.
“International humanitarian law establishes clear rules that cannot be ignored. It is not an a la carte menu and cannot be applied selectively,” he said. “All parties must abide by it, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution.”
He called the current level of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza “completely inadequate and not commensurate with the needs of people”, while again calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. (Aljazeera)