United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the killing of 12 civilians, mostly children and teenagers, in the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The tragic incident has sparked widespread outrage and sorrow, with Mr. Guterres expressing his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to all those injured in the attack.
In a statement issued by the Secretary-General’s spokesperson, it was emphasized that civilians, especially children, should not be the ones to suffer from the ongoing violence in the region. Mr. Guterres called on all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and urged them to avoid any further escalation of hostilities. The Secretary-General stressed the importance of ceasing the exchanges of fire across the Blue Line and called for compliance with international law and the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701.
Resolution 1701, adopted by the Security Council in 2006, aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that year. It called for an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, and the establishment of a demilitarized zone. The resolution remains a crucial framework for maintaining peace and stability in the region, and all parties are urged to adhere to its provisions.
The UN’s top Middle East envoy, Tor Wennesland, also expressed grave concern over the recent rocket attack, warning that the region is on the brink of another devastating conflict. He stressed the importance of exercising maximum restraint and called for an immediate cessation of rocket launches across the Blue Line. The escalation of violence could have catastrophic consequences for the entire region, and all parties are urged to prioritize peace and dialogue over further aggression.
A joint statement released by the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the Force Commander of UNIFIL condemned the attack in Majdal Shams and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of civilian lives, particularly young children and teenagers. The officials stressed the need to protect civilians at all times and called for an end to the intensified exchanges of fire that threaten to escalate into a wider conflict. The potential consequences of further violence are dire, and all parties must work together to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
The recent attack in Majdal Shams underscores the urgent need for a renewed commitment to peace and security in the region. The UN stands ready to support all efforts towards de-escalation and dialogue, and calls on all parties to prioritize the well-being and safety of civilians above all else. The international community must come together to prevent further violence and work towards a sustainable and lasting peace in the Middle East.
