The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has expressed deep concern over recent developments in the West Bank, urging an immediate halt to military operations.
His call follows Israel’s recent large-scale military actions in the West Bank regions of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas, which included airstrikes resulting in civilian casualties and significant damage to infrastructure.
Guterres condemned the loss of life, including the deaths of children, and urged Israel to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law, emphasizing the need for the protection and safety of civilians.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that all those injured have access to medical care, as well as the protection of humanitarian workers. Guterres warned that these developments could further escalate the already volatile situation in the West Bank and undermine the Palestinian Authority.
The Secretary-General also expressed deep concern over provocative actions and statements made by an Israeli minister regarding the holy sites in Jerusalem.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining the status quo at these sacred locations and reaffirmed that ending the occupation and resuming a meaningful political process aimed at establishing a two-state solution is crucial for ending the cycle of violence.
The United Nations remains committed to working with all parties involved to achieve this goal, seeking to de-escalate the current situation and promote stability in the region.
