UN Chief Reaffirms Palestinian Right To Statehood And Calls For Urgent Humanitarian Aid

NEW YORK, Nov 26 (Bernama-WAFA) -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres affirmed on Tuesday that the Palestinian people have the right to dignity, justice, and self-determination, just like all other nations.

The Palestine News and Info Agency (WAFA) reported that Guterres emphasised that establishing a Palestinian state is a legitimate right.

Speaking at a special meeting marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, he reiterated his call to end the illegal occupation of Palestinian land, as affirmed by the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly.

He also reiterated the call to achieve irreversible progress toward a two-state solution in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions, where Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace and security within recognised borders based on the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

The UN chief highlighted the devastating impact on Gaza over the past two years during Israeli aggression, which resulted in the killing of over 70,000 people, injuries to hundreds of thousands, widespread destruction of infrastructure, and the spread of hunger, disease, and psychological trauma. 

He also pointed to the hardships faced by Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, amid Israeli military attacks, settler violence, settlement expansion, evictions, and demolitions.

Guterres described the Gaza ceasefire agreement reached in October as a glimmer of hope and called on all parties to fully adhere to it and move quickly to the next phase.

He praised the efforts of mediators, particularly Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States, and stressed the need to translate diplomatic momentum into tangible progress on the ground.

The UN chief underscored the urgent need for unhindered humanitarian aid to reach Gaza on a large scale. He reaffirmed Israel’s obligations as outlined in the International Court of Justice’s recent advisory opinion and urged all member states to meet the US$4 billion emergency appeal for the occupied Palestinian territories.

Guterres also highlighted the essential role of UNRWA, calling on the international community to support its work in the West Bank, Gaza, and with Palestinian refugees across the region.

He noted that the number of journalists killed over the past two years exceeds that of any conflict since World War II, with the majority being Palestinians. He added that humanitarian workers, including many UNRWA colleagues, were also disproportionately affected.

Guterres concluded by reaffirming the UN’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, urging the international community to turn hope into action and to help the olive tree grow once more.

-- BERNAMA-WAFA