Following 11 days of rocket and air attacks, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire declared by Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The attacks are said to have killed over 240 people and injured thousands more, the vast majority of whom were in the occupied Palestinian enclave of Gaza.
Guterres revealed this to reporters at the UN Headquarters in New York, just minutes before the negotiated ceasefire was set to go into effect.
“I welcome the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel, after 11 days of deadly hostilities,’’ he said.
He expressed his heartfelt condolences to all the victims of the violence, as well as their families, throughout Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
According to the most recent news reports, at least 232 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 60 children, since violence erupted across the Gaza-southern Israeli border on Monday.
At least 12 Israelis were killed as Hamas and other extremist groups launched indiscriminate rocket attacks, sometimes deep into Israeli territory.
“I commend Egypt and Qatar for the efforts carried out, in close coordination with the UN, to help restore calm to Gaza and Israel,” the UN chief added,u all parties to abide by the cease-fire.
According to Guterres, it is critical for the international community to collaborate with the UN to develop “an integrated, robust package of support for a swift, sustainable reconstruction and recovery that supports the Palestinian people and strengthens their institutions.”
He emphasized that Israeli and Palestinian leaders had a responsibility “beyond the restoration of calm to initiate a serious dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict.”
He described Gaza as a “integral part of the future Palestinian State,” adding that no effort should be spared to achieve “true national reconciliation that ends the division.”
Hamas has controlled the enclave since winning elections in 2006 and driving out the rival Fatah faction, which holds power in the West Bank.
Guterres underscored the UN’s “deep commitment” to working with Israelis and Palestinians, and with all international and regional partners, including through the Middle East Quartet.
The UN scribe said the effort would ensure the two sides “to return to the path of meaningful negotiations to end the occupation and allow for the realisation of a two-State solution on the basis of the 1967 lines, UN resolutions, international law and mutual agreements.”
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