SecGen says Gazans should not be punished – Highlights of noon briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for SecGen (excerpts)

• Asked about developments in Gaza, the Spokesperson referred to the Secretary-General’s comments yesterday, in which he said that, while he understood Israel’s security concerns, the people of Gaza should not be punished.
• Asked about the Secretary-General’s meeting on Tuesday with the Arab Group, the Spokesperson said the meeting had been called at the Arab Group's request. They raised the issues they wanted to discuss, including Gaza, and the Secretary-General listened. Asked about the Security Council’s inability to adopt a Presidential Statement on Gaza, Haq said the Security Council’s decisions were its own business.
• Asked if Gaza was considered by the UN to be “occupied,” the Spokesperson said Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem were still considered by the UN as the “occupied Palestinian territory.”

Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
United Nations, S-378
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-7162
Fax. 212-963-7055