Guterres rejects Israeli conduct in Lebanon, Gaza, calls for ceasefire
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Following Israeli attacks and increased tension at the Palestinian-Lebanese border, UN chief Antonio Guterres has warned against another genocide that could entail Lebanon.
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UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, September 19, 2023. (AP)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned against another genocide in Lebanon, following Israeli attacks and increased tension at the Palestinian-Lebanese border to the South of Lebanon.
During a Monday news conference at UN headquarters, Guterres said, "We cannot see in Lebanon what we are seeing in Gaza. And we cannot allow what has been happening in Gaza to continue." He added that thousands of people in southern Lebanon have been displaced and that humanitarian relief was very limited.
This comes as "Israel" and the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon engage in intense clashes along the border. Since October 7, Hezbollah has come to the defense of Gaza and Palestine, and has been defending the Lebanese South against Israeli attacks.
Guterres' remarks were followed by a call to implement Security Council Resolution 1701, which prohibits all hostilities and withdraws Israeli forces behind the Blue Line.
Daily exchanges of hostilities across the Blue Line risk triggering a broader escalation between Israel & Lebanon, which could profoundly affect regional stability.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) January 16, 2024
My message to all sides:
Stop playing with fire, de-escalate & bring hostilities to an end.
'Israel' challenges the UN in Gaza
Guterres reiterated his call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, saying, "The onslaught on Gaza by Israeli forces over these 100 days has unleashed wholesale destruction and levels of civilian killings at a rate that is unprecedented during my years as Secretary-General."
In condemnation of Israeli brutal conduct in the Strip, specifically as the IOF targets civilian women and children, Guterres said, "Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people."
In terms of humanitarian operations in Gaza, Guterres emphasized that the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza has been rendered almost impossible at the magnitude of Israeli attacks and crimes.
He also said the reception of aid at the border has been challenging, revealing that Israeli authorities have been denying "access to the North, where hundreds of thousands of people remain. Since the start of the year, just 7 of 29 missions to deliver aid to the North have been able to proceed."
This has been a constant in Israeli conduct that goes against the UN and undermines its authority in Gaza.
Guterres previously highlighted the challenges faced by the UN, with many vehicles being destroyed or abandoned during the forced evacuation from the north.
"Many of our vehicles and trucks were destroyed or left behind following our forced, hurried evacuation from the north, but the Israeli authorities have not allowed any additional trucks to operate in Gaza. This is massively hampering the aid operation," Guterres said.
The UN leader urged the Israeli regime to immediately lift restrictions on commercial activities to alleviate the growing humanitarian crisis.
