The United Nations on Friday deplored the resumption of military operations in Gaza, describing the hostilities as "catastrophic" and urging parties to ensure a lasting ceasefire be uphe
Smoke rises over northern Gaza following Israeli air strikes, after a temporary truce between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas expired, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza in southern Israel, December 1, 2023. Reuters/Amir Cohen
The United Nations on Friday deplored the resumption of military operations in Gaza, describing the hostilities as "catastrophic" and urging parties to ensure a lasting ceasefire be upheld.
Israeli warplanes resumed bombing Gaza, causing Palestinian civilians to flee for shelter after the collapse of a week-old truce that ran out with no deal to extend it.
"The resumption of hostilities in Gaza is catastrophic," said Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
"I urge all parties and states with influence over them to redouble efforts, immediately, to ensure a ceasefire – on humanitarian and human rights grounds."
In a post on X social media platform, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he regretted the resumption of hostilities and hoped a new pause could be established.
"The return to hostilities only shows how important it is to have a true humanitarian ceasefire," he said.
Appealing for a lasting ceasefire, UNICEF described inaction on Gaza "an approval of the killing of children".
"A lasting ceasefire must be implemented," James Elder, spokesperon for UNICEF, told reporters via video link from Gaza.
"Inaction at its core is an approval of the killing of children.... It is reckless to think more attacks on the people of Gaza will lead to anything other than carnage."
Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber and Cécile Mantovani; Editing by Matthias Williams and Gareth Jones
In a striking political declaration, Fahad Al Masri, President of the National Salvation Front in Syria, has issued a bold call for a strategic alliance between post-Assad Syria, the United States and Israel, a move that would represent a seismic shift in the region's diplomatic landscape.
Hezbollah rejected a ceasefire plan agreed by the Lebanese and Israeli governments in U.S.-mediated talks, as Israel kept up strikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday and said it wouldn't be withdrawing from the south.
Israel and Lebanon agreed to implement a new ceasefire after U.S.-mediated talks, the Trump administration said, raising hopes for progress toward ending the wider U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.