UN protectorate in Gaza is not a solution: Guterres
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The UN Secretary-General stresses the need for a "transition period" involving Arab nations and the United States.
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The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, attends a joint press conference with the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, in Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. (AP)
The UN Secretary-General stated on Monday that a UN protectorate in Gaza would not resolve the struggle there. Instead, he called for a "transition period" involving Arab nations and the United States and leading to a "two-state solution".
Antonio Guterres emphasized the significance of turning this tragedy into an opportunity, advocating for a decisive and irreversible transition toward a "two-state solution".
He stated that this suggests that once the ongoing war on Gaza is over, there would be "a strengthened Palestinian Authority, assuming responsibilities in Gaza," adding that the Palestinian Authority cannot go into Gaza backed by Israeli tanks - meaning the "international community needs to look into a transition period."
"I do not think that a UN protectorate in Gaza is a solution," however, Guterres said.
"Protecting civilians does not mean ordering one million people to evacuate to the South, where there is no shelter, no food, no water, no medicine, and no fuel, and continue to bomb the South itself."
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 25, 2023
- #UN Secretary-General Antonio #Guterres speaks of Israeli war crimes in… pic.twitter.com/h2xOQLcFCn
Instead, he advocated for a "multi-stakeholder approach" in which the US serves as the "primary guarantor" of Israeli security while emphasizing the "essential" role of Arab nations in supporting Palestinians.
"Everybody needs to come together to create the conditions for the transition, allow wing for a strengthened Palestinian Authority to assume responsibilities in Gaza," and from there to a "two-state solution", he said. Guterres again denounced the killing of civilians -- especially children -- in Gaza as the occupation continues a relentless air and ground aggression on Gaza.
"Misery is growing by the minute."
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 27, 2023
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire and the delivery of life-saving supplies to Gaza.
He warned that the situation is rapidly deteriorating, and without significant changes, the people… pic.twitter.com/4UTW9iJ1B7
For seven years, he has annually released a "list of shame" highlighting parties involved in armed conflicts committing serious violations against children. The exclusion of "Israel" from the list has faced criticism from human rights organizations, expressing clear hypocrisy.
Without indicating whether there might be a change this year, Guterres provided a stark context for the number of children massacred in Gaza.
The talk of a "post-war" Gaza continues long before a ceasefire is agreed upon and as the streets of the Strip remain soaked with the blood of Palestinian children, with thousands still trapped under the rubble, lifeless, and their tragedy falling on deaf ears.
Israeli FM criticizes Guterres
Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Guterres is unsuitable to head the global body because he failed to condemn Hamas and was "too close to Iran."
Cohen, during a press brief in Geneva where he was set to meet with the World Health Organization and International Red Cross leaders alongside the relatives of Israeli captives in Gaza, criticized the UN for not "standing with Israel" although it was the UN that mourned over 100 of its staff that "Israel" killed in the Strip.
"Guterres does not deserve to be the head of the United Nations," said Cohen, adding, "I think that Guterres like all the free nations should say clearly and loudly: free Gaza from Hamas. Everyone said Hamas is worse than ISIS. Why can he not say it?"
This came as the UN Secretary-General repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza, lamenting the massive loss of civilian lives.
