HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY FARHAN HAQ, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
FRIDAY, 18 JULY 2014
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BAN KI-MOON EXPRESSES ALARM AT SERIOUS ESCALATION IN GAZA
- In a statement issued Thursday evening, the Secretary-General expressed his alarm at the serious escalation in Gaza, including resumed rocket fire into Israel and the subsequent launch of an Israeli ground operation into Gaza, despite his repeated urgings to the contrary.
- This escalation will inevitably increase the already appalling suffering of the affected civilian populations. The Secretary-General calls for an immediate end to the indiscriminate firing of rockets by Hamas into Israel and Israeli retaliatory action. He asks the parties to do their utmost to ensure the protection of civilians and United Nations premises and staff, and that humanitarian assistance continues to reach all those in need. All parties must respect international humanitarian and human rights law, and there must be accountability for any breaches of those obligations.
The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and urges regional and international partners to exert all possible influence to bring about an immediate end to the suffering and bloodshed. He will continue his efforts to that end.?
And in remarks to the press yesterday afternoon, the Secretary-General noted that there had been a number of recent incidents involving the deaths of civilians, including the appalling killing of four boys on a beach in Gaza City. He urged Israel to do far more to stop civilian casualties.
- The Security Council has scheduled a meeting on the Middle East at 3:00 this afternoon.
- As of 17 July, at least 230 Palestinians, including 171 civilians, have been killed by Israeli air, naval and ground strikes in Gaza. At least 48 children and 31 women are among the fatalities. One Israeli civilian has been killed by Palestinian rocket fire.
- The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that an estimated 96,400 people need shelter assistance because their homes have been damaged or destroyed.
- More than 22,900 people were sheltering in 24 installations belonging to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) as of 17 July. Supplies are being delivered to shelters daily, including mattresses, food and water and hygiene kits.
- Since the start of the emergency on 7 July, 84 schools, including 47 UNRWA schools, were damaged. Also, about half of the sewage pumping and treatment systems no longer operate.
- Asked about the UN’s concerns about an Israeli ground invasion, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General had made clear his concerns about such an operation earlier this week. He has consistently called for the parties to agree to a cease-fire and for a resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
- Asked about the actions taken by either side, Haq said that both sides can take concrete actions to halt the fighting on the ground. He underscored the need to avoid attacks on civilian areas and to avoid launching attacks from civilian areas.
- Asked about Egypt’s efforts to secure a ceasefire, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General supported Egypt’s work and was in contact with leaders to push for a ceasefire. He added that the Secretary-General intended to speak today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Asked about weapons found at an UNRWA school, Haq said that the Agency had brought that information to light and had made clear that this was a flagrant violation of the inviolability of its premises under international law.
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Document symbol: NoonBriefing_180714
Document Type: Briefing, Highlights of the Noon Briefing
Document Sources: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Secretary-General, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Country: Egypt
Subject: Armed conflict, Casualties, Ceasefire, Education and culture, Gaza Strip, Health, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Humanitarian relief, Incursions, Internally displaced persons, Legal issues, Living conditions, Negotiations and agreements, Population, Protection, Security issues, Shelter, Water
Publication Date: 18/07/2014
Document Type: Briefing, Highlights of the Noon Briefing
Document Sources: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Secretary-General, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Country: Egypt
Subject: Armed conflict, Casualties, Ceasefire, Education and culture, Gaza Strip, Health, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Humanitarian relief, Incursions, Internally displaced persons, Legal issues, Living conditions, Negotiations and agreements, Population, Protection, Security issues, Shelter, Water
Publication Date: 18/07/2014