Israeli officials say aggression to last 2 months or more: UN Sources

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
19 Dec 2023 17:54

Exclusive sources to Al Mayadeen reveal that Israeli leaders told the UN they're adamant about persisting with the war in Gaza and there's no intention of a ceasefire.

Flagpoles line in rows in front of a building of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on June 14, 2021 (AP)

Informed sources in Geneva revealed to Al Mayadeen that Israeli officials have disclosed to some United Nations-affiliated organizations operating in Gaza that the war will continue for at least two more months in Gaza at the current intensity, and perhaps even longer.

These sources reported that talks were held in the past few days with Israeli leaders in the occupied territories regarding the possibility of a ceasefire or humanitarian truce to allow these organizations to provide life-saving humanitarian aid.

However, the request was responded to in the negative. The Israeli officials affirmed that they were adamant about persisting with the aggression campaign against Gaza and that they did not intend to implement a ceasefire.

On another note, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, stated on Tuesday, "The limited steps Israel is taking to allow some supplies into Gaza are welcome, but they are not enough to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population."

“Limited steps by Israel, including allowing entry of more fuel, food and cooking gas, and opening Kerem Shalom for the entry of humanitarian supplies, are positive, but fall far short of what is needed to address the human catastrophe on the ground,” Wennesland told the Security Council members during a meeting on Palestine.

Earlier today, EU chief Josep Borrell admitted in a statement that Europe is falling out with the rest of the world as a consequence of its stance on the war in Gaza.

On Monday, at a conference in Aosta organized by Le Grand Continent, Borrel said the EU has been extremely divided over Gaza, as certain countries feel personal guilt for Israelis because of the Holocaust during the Second World War, completely sidelining the atrocities "Israel" is committing in Gaza, which many likened to a holocaust.

He revealed that “relations with the global south had not been very good before 7 October, now it has become worse. We are losing moral ground with the rest of the world including in the Middle East."

He also highlighted that they have been accused of having double standards this time around, more than they have seen when they undertook Ukraine's side in the war against Russia.