UN chief renews ceasefire calls to end ‘nightmare’ in Gaza

The UN chief has warned that the situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating rapidly due to incessant Israeli bombardment as he repeats desperate appeals for a ceasefire to end the “nightmare” of bloodshed.

“The situation in Gaza is growing more desperate by the hour. I regret that instead of a critically needed humanitarian pause, supported by the international community, Israel has intensified its military operations,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday.

“The number of civilians who have been martyred and injured is totally unacceptable. The world is witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe taking place before our eye,” Guterres added.

Martyrdom toll from Israeli strikes on Gaza exceeded 8,000 on Sunday with women and children accounting for a bulk of the fatalities.

Panic and fear have surged inside Gaza, where over one million people have been displaced, and where communications have gone dark for days because of the damage inflicted on internet lines because of Israeli bombardment.

“The world is witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe taking place before our eyes,” Guterres said.

“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,” said the UN chief.

‘Planned genocide’ in Palestine

Meanwhile, Spain’s acting minister of social rights has called on European countries to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel amid the regime’s onslaught on the Gaza Strip.

In a post on X, Ione Belarra said European countries should also impose an arms embargo and economic sanctions against Israel.

She said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and all Israeli officials responsible for carrying out bombings against the civilian population in Gaza should be brought before the International Criminal Court.

Belarra added that it’s still possible to stop the genocide.

“Today we are here accompanying all the decent people of our country and also all those people throughout Europe who want to ask and demand an end once and for all to this planned genocide, this ethnic cleansing of the people of Palestine that is being carried out by the regime of Israel,” Belarra said.

ME