00:00 Secretary General will make some remarks and then I'll stay for the regular briefing.
00:05 Good morning.
00:08 I've just concluded an extraordinary meeting of senior UN leaders to discuss the unprecedented
00:15 developments in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
00:21 Let me begin by repeating my utter condemnation of the abhorrent attacks by Hamas and others
00:27 against Israeli towns and villages in the Gaza periphery, which have left over 800 Israelis
00:33 dead and more than 2,500 injured.
00:37 Sadly, these numbers are expected to rise as the attacks are ongoing and many remain
00:43 unaccounted for.
00:46 In addition, over 100, possibly more, Israelis, civilians and military have been reported
00:53 captured by armed groups, including women, children and the elderly.
00:59 Some are being held hostage inside Israel and many others have been taken inside the
01:05 Gaza Strip.
01:06 Meanwhile, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have launched thousands of indiscriminate
01:11 rockets that have reached central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
01:17 I recognize the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people.
01:22 But nothing can justify these acts of terror and the killing, maiming and abduction of
01:28 civilians.
01:29 I reiterate my call to immediately cease these attacks and release all hostages.
01:36 In the face of these unprecedented attacks, Israeli airstrikes have pounded Gaza.
01:42 I am deeply alarmed by reports of over 500 Palestinians, including women and children,
01:47 killed in Gaza and over 3,000 injured.
01:51 Unfortunately, these numbers are rising by the minute as Israeli operations continue.
01:59 While I recognize Israel's legitimate security concerns, I also remind Israel that military
02:05 operations must be conducted in strict accordance with international humanitarian law.
02:11 Civilians must be respected and protected at all times.
02:15 Civilian infrastructure must never be a target.
02:19 And we already have reports of Israeli missiles striking health facilities inside Gaza, as
02:24 well as multi-storied residential towers and a mosque.
02:29 Two UNRWA schools sheltering displaced families in Gaza were also hit.
02:35 Some 137,000 people are currently sheltering in UNRWA facilities, with the number increasing
02:42 as heavy shelling and airstrikes continue.
02:46 I am deeply distressed by today's announcement that Israel will initiate a complete siege
02:51 of the Gaza Strip, nothing allowed in, no electricity, food or fuel.
02:58 The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before these hostilities.
03:03 Now it will only deteriorate exponentially.
03:07 Medical equipment, food, fuel and other humanitarian supplies are desperately needed, along with
03:12 excess for humanitarian personnel.
03:15 Relief and entry of essential supplies into Gaza must be facilitated, and the UN will
03:21 continue efforts to provide aid to respond to these needs.
03:26 And I urge all sides and relevant parties to allow United Nations access to deliver
03:31 urgent humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians trapped and helpless in the Gaza
03:36 Strip.
03:38 And I appeal to the international community to mobilize immediate humanitarian support
03:43 for these efforts.
03:46 The UN Special Coordinator and I are engaging with leaders in the region to express our
03:51 concern, our outrage, and to advance efforts to avoid any spillover to the wider Middle
03:57 East.
03:59 Even in these worst of times, and perhaps especially in the most trying moments, it
04:06 is vital to look to the long-term horizon and avoid irreversible action that would embolden
04:12 extremists and doom any prospects for lasting peace.
04:17 This most recent violence does not come in a vacuum.
04:20 The reality is that it grows out of a long-standing conflict, with a 56-year-long occupation
04:26 and no political end in sight.
04:29 It's time to end this vicious circle of bloodshed, hatred and polarization.
04:36 Israel must see its legitimate needs for security materialized, and Palestinians must see a
04:42 clear perspective for the establishment of their own state realized.
04:48 Only a negotiated peace that fulfills the legitimate national aspirations of Palestinians
04:53 and Israelis, together with their security alike, the long-held vision of a two-state
04:59 solution in line with United Nations resolutions, international law, and previous agreements,
05:05 can bring long-term stability to the people of this land and the wider Middle East region.
05:11 Thank you.
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