United Nations Secretary-General Condemns Violence in the West Bank

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned all acts of violence against civilians in the West Bank, calling on Israel to comply with its obligations under international law. Guterres during a press conference held yesterday, Thursday, at United Nations Headquarters in New York expressed its deep concern at the news from the West Bank city of Jenin in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, saying that Israeli air strikes and ground operations in a crowded refugee camp were the most brutal acts of violence in the West Bank for many years, and had a severe impact on civilians, including more than 100 wounded and thousands were forced to flee.

He added: “Schools and hospitals have been damaged, water and electricity networks have been disrupted, and people in need have been denied access to basic care and assistance.” The Secretary-General emphasized the need for all those injured to receive medical care and for humanitarian workers to be able to reach those in need.

Guterres made it clear that the use of airstrikes is incompatible with law enforcement operations, reminding Israel, as the occupying power, that it has a responsibility to ensure that civilians are protected from all acts of violence.