Israel's West Bank annexation viewed as 'creeping' by UN chief, who remains unfazed by pressure
Israel has launched a ground assault in Gaza, a move that has sparked international concern and calls for restraint. The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has led the appeals, urging Israel to halt its campaign in Gaza and avoid an "unprecedented" assault on Gaza City.
Guterres has described the situation in Gaza as the worst level of death and destruction he has seen in his time as secretary-general. He highlighted the suffering of the Palestinian people, who are facing famine, lack of healthcare, and are living without adequate shelters in crowded areas.
However, it is important to note that Guterres has not characterized Israel's conduct in Gaza as a "genocide." Instead, he has emphasized that the problem lies in the reality on the ground, not the word "genocide." This stance was echoed by the UN rights chief, who denounced Israeli "genocidal rhetoric" on Gaza.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has been urging residents of Gaza to head south, while many Palestinians find the journey to be prohibitively expensive. The Israeli government, led by right-wing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, has announced plans to annex parts of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) as a preemptive move against Western nations that might recognize a Palestinian state at the next UN General Assembly session. This plan aims to end any possibility of a Palestinian state and assert Israeli sovereignty over these territories permanently.
In a related development, UN investigators have reportedly said "genocide" is happening in Gaza. Israel, however, has rejected the UN investigators' report on this matter.
The UN Secretary-General has also stated that the world should not be intimidated by Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank. He urged the international community to stand firm in their commitment to peace and justice, and to work towards a resolution that respects the rights and dignity of all people involved.
As the situation in Gaza and the West Bank continues to unfold, the UN and the international community remain vigilant, calling for peace, respect for human rights, and a just resolution to the ongoing conflict.
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