Al-Khereiji: Collective action in combating terrorism is a must for achieving stability and prosperity    SFDA Chief visits premier biotechnology and medical firms in China    Saudi Awwal Bank becomes the Kingdom's first bank obtaining ISO certification for quality management system in operations    2- month jail and SR40000 in fine for woman citizen convicted of commercial cover-up    10 cooperation agreements signed during Saudi-Turkish Business Forum in Istanbul    Saudi Arabia's non-oil revenues grow 6% in 9 months while Q3 budget posts SR30 billion deficit    Spanish flood rescuers focus search on underground car parks    Quincy Jones, titan of US music, dies aged 91    Slavery reparations not about transfer of cash, says UK's Lammy    Pro-EU leader claims Moldova victory despite alleged Russian meddling    Domestic violence should not be taboo subject, says Queen Camilla    Enhancing zakat, tax, and customs compliance takes center stage at the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Conference 2024    Neymar expected to join Al Hilal squad for AFC clash against Esteghlal, says coach Jesus    Al Qadsiah secure 2-0 victory over Al Ettifaq in first Eastern Derby since 2021    Riyad Mahrez admits he's no longer the dribbler he once was    Al-Ahli coach Jaissle understands fans' frustration, vows to improve team's performance    MBC Group announces sale of Istedamah's 54% stake to Public Investment Fund for SR7.4 billion    Hidden sugars in Asia's baby food spark concerns    HONOR unveils pre-order of the stunning HONOR MagicBook Art 14 Featuring an ultra-slim design, HONOR Eye Comfort Display and AI Cross-OS WorkStation    Teri Garr, Young Frankenstein and Tootsie star, dies at 79    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Situation in Gaza growing more desperate by the hour, says UN chief Guterres
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 29 - 10 - 2023

UN Secretary-General António Guterres began his official visit to Nepal by extending deep condolences to the families of the 10 Nepalese students killed in the terror attacks by Hamas in Israel, and once again called for the protection of all civilians in Gaza, where, he said, "the situation is growing more desperate by the hour."
The UN chief's visit comes as the crisis in the Gaza Strip enters its third week following the Oct. 7 incursion by Hamas militants into Israel and Israel's subsequent declaration of war.
Late last week the UN adopted a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce, but the past few days have seen heavy bombardment and reports of ground operations inside Gaza by Israel.
"I know that even though the conflict in the Middle East is thousands of miles away, it has hit very close to home for the people of Nepal," said the UN chief at a press conference on Sunday alongside Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Also expressing best wishes for the safe return of Bipin Joshi, a Nepalese citizen who is missing, the Secretary-General vowed that he would continue to insist on the immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages in Gaza.
"And I repeat my utter condemnation of the appalling attacks perpetrated by Hamas. There is no justification, ever, for the killing, injuring and abduction of civilians," he stated.
At the same time, Guterres noted the extremely dire situation in Gaza and expressed regret that instead of a critically needed humanitarian pause supported by the international community, Israel has intensified its military operations.
"The number of civilians who have been killed and injured is totally unacceptable. All parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law ... which emerged from the tragedy and awful experiences of war," he continued.
Emphasizing his consistent calls for strict compliance with international humanitarian law, the Secretary-General stated: "The Laws of War establish clear rules to protect human life and respect humanitarian concerns. Those laws cannot be contorted for the sake of expedience."
Guterres said that in Gaza more than two million people with nowhere safe to go, are being denied the essentials for life — food, water, shelter and medical care — while being subjected to relentless bombardment.
"I urge all those with responsibility to step back from the brink," he said calling the situation a "humanitarian catastrophe."
The Secretary- General reiterated his appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the delivery of a sustained humanitarian relief at a scale that meets the needs of the people of Gaza.
"We must join forces to end this nightmare for the people of Gaza, Israel and all those affected around the world, including here in Nepal," he said.
The Secretary- General praised the Himalayan country's long tradition of championing peace and multilateralism and called on the world to "be a better friend to Nepal", which is caught in raft of crises not of its own making, including the threat posed by climate chaos.
Guterres thanked Prime Minister Dahal and said that the UN was hugely grateful to Nepal for its support for multilateral solutions — backed up its enormous contribution to peacekeeping missions worldwide.
At the start of his four-day visit to the country, the UN chief also praised Nepal's "astonishing progress" over the past two decades, as it had become a republic, established peace, and thrown itself behind the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate action.
"And there's more to come," Guterres continued, explaining that "the next few years will be decisive, as Nepal prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country status."
The Secretary-General was referring to the UN-facilitated process by which the world's most vulnerable nations, once they meet a set of criteria (on income, human assets and economic and environmental vulnerability), may take phased steps towards 'graduation', which represents an important milestone in the development path of LDCs.
The UN chief went on to note that over the Next few years, Nepal would also embark on the final stages of the peace process: transitional justice.
"Transitional justice must help to bring peace to victims, families and communities," he said, emphasizing that "the United Nations stands ready to support Nepal to develop a process that meets international standards, the Supreme Court's rulings, and the needs of victims — and to put it into practice."
"Nepal is also caught in a blizzard of global crises not of its making: the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and the enormous threat posed by climate chaos," said the Secretary-General.
As such, he said, much more international action is needed. Developed countries must step up to support sustainable development, and help developing economies including Nepal to tackle the climate crisis.
The UN chief noted that on this trip, he planned to visit the Himalayas to see first-hand the terrible impact of the climate crisis on the glaciers.
"The situation is dire, and it is accelerating. Nepal has lost close to a third of its ice in just over thirty years. And glaciers are melting at record rates," he said, adding: "The impact on communities is devastating."
With this in mind, Guterres said that he also planned to meet with local people in the Himalayas to hear directly from them about how they are affected.
He is also expected to travel to Pokhara and to Lumbini, to reflect on the Lord Buddha's teachings of peace and non-violence.
"And I want to explore how the United Nations and Nepal can work together to solve problems, boost prospects, and improve international support. Because though Nepal is a friend to the world, the world must be a better friend to Nepal," he concluded. — UN News


Clic here to read the story from its source.