[1/3]Amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza City on October 13, Palestinians are evacuated from their homes after Israel called on more than 1 million civilians in northern Gaza to move south within 24 hours. Heading to the southern part of the Gaza Strip.Reuters/Ahmed Zakot acquires licensing rights
UNITED NATIONS, Oct 13 (Reuters) – The Palestinian UN special envoy on Friday warned UN Secretary-General António Guterres to do more to stop Israel’s “crimes against humanity”, warning almost half of the Gaza Strip’s population appealed to the government to do so. We’re planning an attack, so we’re relocating.
“He must do more. Whatever is done is not enough. This humanitarian We all need to do more to stop crimes against people.”
Countries on Friday urged Israel to refrain from attacking northern Gaza, where more than 1 million civilians have largely defied Israeli orders to evacuate ahead of an attack by Hamas militants who massacred Israeli civilians last weekend. requested.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan said on Friday that Israel’s warning to residents of northern Gaza was to “temporarily move south to reduce the damage to civilians.” He was speaking at an event hosted by Israel at the United Nations, along with families of Israelis abducted by Hamas and taken in the Gaza attack.
Guterres made a report to the 15-nation United Nations Security Council behind closed doors on Friday.
“The situation in Gaza has reached a dangerous new low,” he told reporters on his way to a news conference. “We are implementing regional guidance to prevent further dangerous escalation in the West Bank and elsewhere. “We are in constant contact with them,” he added. in this region, especially in southern Lebanon. ”
Guterres reminded the parties that “war also has rules… civilians must be protected and never used as shields.”
Russian proposal
During the meeting, Russia proposed a draft Security Council resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and condemning violence against civilians and all acts of terrorism, according to a draft text seen by Reuters.
“Russia cannot accept complete inaction and no response on the part of the Security Council,” Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzia said after the meeting, adding that Russia was ready to mediate between Israel and the Palestinians. .
It was not immediately clear when or if Russia would put the draft resolution up for a vote. The United States has traditionally protected its ally Israel from any actions by the Security Council. It has veto power, along with Britain, France, China and Russia.
Brazil proposed its own draft resolution late Friday, which is essentially a more detailed version of the Russian document, Reuters has seen. In particular, it condemns the “terrorist attack by Hamas” and “calls on the Israeli authorities to immediately revoke” the evacuation order for civilians from northern Gaza.
Asked about the Russian draft, British Ambassador to the United Nations Barbara Woodward said: “On something as important as this, we have already seen how many lives are being destroyed and we have no right to consult.” “We need time and we need serious discussions.”
Zhang Jun, China’s ambassador to the UN, said the Security Council should “have a strong voice and also take meaningful action on this truly worrying situation.”
“It’s very dangerous.”
The Israeli military late Thursday notified 1.1 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to move into the southern enclave within 24 hours, the United Nations said, a move Palestinians fear could be a prelude to a ground attack. .
“Moving more than 1 million people across a densely populated war zone to a place without food, water, or accommodation when an entire territory is under siege is extremely dangerous, and in some cases completely unnecessary. It is possible,” Guterres said.
Erdan criticized the UN response and said Israel’s advance warning to Gaza residents should be praised.
He said the United Nations and Security Council “face one of its most critical moments” and “will we remain true to our founding values or will we empower genocidal terrorists?” should not be an issue,” he added.
Hamas carried out the deadliest attack in Israel’s history on Saturday, killing more than 1,300 people and taking dozens of hostages in Gaza. Israel responded with the most intensive airstrikes in its 75-year conflict with the Palestinians. Gaza authorities announced that 1,799 people were killed.
“All hostages in Gaza must be released immediately. It is essential that all parties, and those with influence over them, take all possible steps to achieve these measures.” Guterres said.
Ambassadors from Arab groups called for a ceasefire, humanitarian access to Gaza and an end to mass displacement of Palestinians. Mansour said there is no safe place in Gaza.
“We need to stop this war immediately. We need to send convoys of food and medicine to help the local people, and we need to stop this ethnic cleansing from happening,” he said. .
Report by Michelle Nichols.Editing: Grant McCool and Diane Craft
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