dire need for all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians,” he said.Mr. Türk called for immediate and unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations to reach those in need, as well as for the immediate resumption of fuel, medical supplies, and other essential goods, including food, into Gaza.“The international community must ensure that humanitarian and medical supplies can reach the civilian population in need in Gaza,” he stressed.‘Unspeakable suffering’“The unspeakable suffering that continues to unfold in Gaza must end now,” Mr. Türk said, noting that the people of Gaza have been living in a state of humanitarian crisis for many years.“This is not the first time that they have been subjected to such trauma, and I fear it will not be the last unless the international community takes decisive action,” he warned.‘Momentum’ for ceasefireMr. Türk called on the international community to seize the “momentum” created by the moves towards a ceasefire and the release of hostages, which he described as “a rare opportunity to bring a halt to this deadly conflict.”He added that the release of the hostages was “a fundamental step towards de-escalation” and that he hoped it would be a turning point in the conflict.“The international community must act decisively to put an immediate end to the violence and ensure that civilians are protected,” he stressed.Mr. Türk also called for accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law committed by all parties to the conflict and emphasized that those responsible must be held accountable for their actions.“There can be no lasting peace without accountability,” he said.ConclusionIn conclusion, the situation in Rafah is dire, with nearly 300,000 people fleeing the area due to Israeli military orders for further evacuations. The UN has warned of catastrophic consequences if a full-scale military operation in Rafah were to take place and has called for all influential states to prevent it. There is a dire shortage of aid reaching Gaza, exacerbated by border closures, and a need for immediate and unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations. The international community must act decisively to end the violence and ensure the protection of civilians, as well as hold those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law accountable. The release of hostages and moves towards a ceasefire present a rare opportunity to bring an end to the deadly conflict and must be seized upon to achieve lasting peace in the region.
UN pleads to prevent large-scale offensive in Gaza’s Rafah
