UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths emphasized the urgent need for the international community to exert its influence in order to bring an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.
He highlighted the devastating impact of the 90-day-long hostilities, stating that they have rendered the Palestinian enclave “uninhabitable” and posed daily threats to the lives of the people of Gaza. Griffiths expressed concern over the significant loss of life and injuries suffered by tens of thousands of Palestinians, as well as the fact that areas designated as safe havens have also come under attack.
He emphasized the responsibility of the world to address this crisis, stating that “Gaza has shown us the worst of humanity” and that violence cannot be a solution to resolving differences.
The UN official further highlighted the unfolding public health disaster in Gaza, with overcrowded shelters leading to the spread of infectious diseases and the dire conditions in which Palestinian women are giving birth.
He called on all parties involved to fulfill their obligations under international law to protect civilians and release hostages, urging world leaders to utilize their influence to bring about an end to the war that should never have started in the first place.
According to Israeli officials, the conflict in Gaza intensified on October 7 when Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the death of 1,200 individuals and the capture of 240 hostages.
In response, West Jerusalem declared war and initiated a comprehensive offensive involving air and ground forces in Gaza.
Tragically, this offensive has led to the loss of over 22,700 lives and left more than 58,000 individuals injured, as reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry.
In late November, a temporary ceasefire was agreed upon by West Jerusalem and Hamas, during which 108 Israeli hostages were released in exchange for the release of certain Palestinian prisoners by Israel. Recently, Hamas proposed a new hostage agreement to Israel, consisting of three phases, with each phase requiring a pause in hostilities lasting over a month. In return, the hostages would be released, and the war would come to an end upon the completion of the final phase. However, the Israeli war cabinet deemed this plan as “unacceptable” and rejected it.
This offer from Hamas came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his country would continue its military operation against Hamas until the group is eradicated, Gaza is demilitarized, and its residents are deradicalized.
