No Sign Of Halt To Gaza Fighting Says Un Ambassador

The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the UN has told the Security Council there will be no peace in ​​Gaza until Israel, as an occupying power, ceases its military offensive.



Speaking on Tuesday during the council's regular monthly debate on the Middle East, Riyad Mansour, said a proposed "humanitarian pause" in the conflict remained out of reach.



Mansour said:  "Hundreds more Palestinian civilians have been killed, thousands have been injured and tens of thousands have been displaced by the Israeli military aggression in Gaza since we last came before the Security Council on Friday."



"Fear and panic have gripped the population, leading to displacement of more than 100,000 people."



The Palestinian ambassador informed the 15 council members that the Israeli bombardment included "missile airstrikes, bombs and artillery shelling by air, land and sea". 



The fire was directed "at densely-populated civilian areas" and had resulted in the destruction of more than 1,000 homes and 8,000 other Palestinian residences being damaged.



 



Urgent appeal



 



He said the displaced Palestinians now sheltering in UNRWA schools were already double the number of Palestinians who sought refuge in the agency's schools during the 2008-2009 escalation and Israeli war on Gaza, labeled "Operation Cast Lead" by Israel.



The ambassador said:  "Here, we urgently appeal for efforts to address the immense humanitarian needs of the Palestinian civilians in Gaza."



"With no regard for human life, Israel, the occupying power, continues to slaughter entire families."



He told the council that, among others, a family of 26 people in Khan Younis, 10 people in Shujaiya and eight people in northern Gaza were among the many victims "of Israel's heinous attacks in just the past three days".



"The casualties are mounting with every passing minute," he said.



Mansour told the council last Sunday "95 Palestinians were killed, with at least 72 people, including 17 children, 14 women and four elderly people" being massacred in Shujaiya.



"I am thus again compelled to at least read the names of our many innocent children killed by the Israeli occupying forces in these past days and to honor their memories," said Mansour before he read a list of 44 children killed.



 



'Constructive action' call



 



According to the list - the youngest victim was only eight months old and the eldest 17 years old.



Sixty speakers were listed to debate the issue.



Although out from New York, the UN Secretary General also briefed the council via video link from the Middle East from his ongoing mission throughout the region, with Ramallah as his fifth stop. His journey has so far included Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and Israel.   



UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon told the UN Security Council via video link from his tour in the Middle East:  "Suffice it to say that it is my hope and belief that these talks will lead to results and an end to the fighting in the very near future."



Ban said "the most promising prospect of a ceasefire" came from a proposal from Egypt based on the "November 2012 understanding on a ceasefire".  



He said that the League of Arab States supported the initiative as did Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.



"Unfortunately, Hamas has yet to respond positively," Ban said, appealing to "all those with influence to urge constructive action". 



He told the council he carried a three-part message at every stop of his trip:  "First, stop the fighting.  Second, start the dialogue. Third, tackle the root causes."



From Ramallah, the UN chief is scheduled to fly to Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and "other countries in the region if necessary".



www.aa.com.tr/en - New York