UN Officials Urge Immediate Ceasefire, Increased Aid To Gaza

United Nations officials have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all remaining hostages, and a significant increase in humanitarian aid. These appeals were made by Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations at the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), during a Security Council session chaired by Slovenia.

DiCarlo acknowledged ongoing efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to secure a ceasefire and release hostages. She noted that recent meetings in Doha and Cairo aimed to bridge gaps but highlighted that significant differences remain. "More must be done to reach a deal without further delay. The United Nations remains committed to supporting all efforts to this end," she stated.

The urgent meeting was requested separately by Algeria and Israel to discuss developments in Gaza and the West Bank. Both countries sought to address the escalating situation through this Security Council session.

Wosornu condemned the suffering endured by Gaza's residents, emphasising that international humanitarian law aims to mitigate war's consequences by setting minimum standards of conduct. She stressed that compliance with these laws "is not optional" and underscored the urgency of a ceasefire, hostage release, civilian protection, and addressing basic needs as per Security Council resolutions.

She expressed regret over the ongoing violence and urged the Security Council "to turn its promises into reality and end the suffering." Her statements highlighted the critical need for immediate action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Humanitarian Pauses

Both UN officials welcomed local humanitarian pauses that allowed the launch of an emergency polio vaccination campaign. The UN World Health Organisation reported that 187,000 children in Gaza have been vaccinated against polio. The campaign aims to vaccinate 640,000 children after Gaza recently reported its first polio case in 25 years.

The appeals from DiCarlo and Wosornu underscore the urgent need for international cooperation to address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term peace efforts in Gaza. Their calls reflect a broader push within the UN to find sustainable solutions amid ongoing conflict.

The United Nations remains committed to supporting all efforts towards achieving peace and stability in Gaza. The focus is on ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law and addressing basic needs while working towards a lasting ceasefire.

With inputs from WAM