UN officials remember the brutal October 7 attacks, reiterating the need for peace

“That day left deep scars in individuals, families and the collective memory of the State of Israel and the world,” speak Tor Wennesland, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, is based in Jerusalem.

“Today, we mourn more than 1,200 people, including many women and children, who were murdered in cold blood. Even a year later, the brutality remains incomprehensible.”

Release all hostages

Mr. Wennesland added that more than 250 people were also kidnapped from Israel and brought into Gaza, and hostages continue to be held in disgusting and unimaginable conditions.

“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those kidnapped. I carry their suffering every day,” he said.

The special envoy reiterated his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other militant groups. In the interim, they must receive humane treatment and permission to visit from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Tor Wennesland, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process.

Committed to peace

Adding that the war “continues to devastate lives and cause profound human suffering for Israelis, Palestinians and now the Lebanese people,” he called for an immediate ceasefire to ensure safety. and security for all civilians.

“Violence breeds violence, and in these moments of sadness, we must reaffirm our commitment to peace,” he said.

In New York, the President of the United Nations General Assembly lamented that the Middle East “has witnessed death, destruction and displacement for too long.”

Dialogue and diplomacy

Philémon Yang emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of hostages and “returning to dialogue to find a diplomatic solution to conflicts in the region.”

He added that no sustainable peace would be achieved militarily and that there could only be a two-state solution based on a military agreement. UN CharterInternational law and relevant United Nations resolutions, can ensure lasting peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians and the rest of the region.

“I call on all parties – Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah – to comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law. I also urgently call for the protection of civilians and unhindered access to much-needed humanitarian assistance,” he said.

Remembering victims of sexual violence

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, express sincere solidarity with the victims of the October 7 attacks, their families and the affected communities.

“Today we unite to remember those who lost their lives and stand steadfastly in support of the survivors who bear the scars of that fateful day, especially the victims of sexual violence,” she said. a heinous crime that caused devastating physical and psychological effects.” speak.

Ms. Patten recalled her business trip to Israel earlier this year and concluded that conflict-related sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, had been carried out in attacks in many countries. areas across the Gaza periphery and then targeted the hostages during their captivity.

Furthermore, there are reasonable grounds to believe that such violence against the hostages may still be ongoing.

Call for justice

The UN expert continued to express concern about the plight of the hostages still being held and reiterated his call for their immediate, safe and unconditional release. She also called on political leaders and those with influence over the warring parties to step up efforts to secure their release.

“One year on from these devastating attacks, the victims, survivors and their families all deserve justice. It is vitally important to ensure full independent investigations into all allegations of sexual violence during or after the October 7 attack. It is my duty to firmly offer support to the authorities Israel to pursue justice and accountability,” she said.

Death, destruction, destruction

United Nations Office of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHAnoted that the attacks were the deadliest in Israel’s history “- a horrifying event that foreshadowed the devastation wrought by Israel’s response.”

the Incredible phone number including more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign citizens killed and nearly 5,500 injured, while more than 41,000 people were killed in the Gaza Strip and 96,900 injured, according to the local Health Ministry. Thousands more are believed to be trapped under the rubble.

Nearly everyone in Gaza has been displaced multiple times and has nowhere safe to go. People also face severe deprivation, with limited or no access to health care, food, electricity or humanitarian aid, and children have been out of school for entire years.

At the same time, schools for displaced families were repeatedly shelled, medical staff and hospitals were systematically attacked, aid convoys were repeatedly blocked and even shot at, OCHA said.

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, the use of lethal force by Israeli forces, coupled with widespread settler violence and home destruction, has led to a sharp increase in deaths, destruction and destruction. widespread destruction and forced relocation.

Delivery commitment

Over the past year, Israel has blocked humanitarian access both to and within Gaza, paralyzing aid operations. More than 300 aid workers have also died, most of them employees of the United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees. UNRWA. This is more than any other crisis, OCHA said, making Gaza the most dangerous place in the world for aid workers.

Yet despite the enormous risks, humanitarians continue to provide aid when and where they can. They also vaccinated more than 560,000 young children against polio in the first phase of the emergency vaccination campaign.

OCHA said that while this is an example of what can be achieved when aid workers can reach people in need, such examples are few and far between.

“It has been 12 months of unrelenting tragedy – this must end,” said Joyce Msuya, UN Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

“Member States must use their influence to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and human rights and compliance with the judgments of International Court of Justice. They must also work to end impunity. An immediate ceasefire and lasting peace are long overdue.”

A shredded United Nations flag flies over a destroyed school building in Khan Younis.

It’s time to be brave: the head of UNRWA

UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said the Middle East was “sinking deeper into conflict, murder and terror” one year since the “horrible massacre”.

It has been 12 months of unspeakable suffering for the hostages, while the brutal war in Gaza has turned the enclave into “an unrecognizable sea of ​​rubble, and a graveyard for tens of thousands of people, There are too many children in there.”

Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the war, in which more than 220 UNRWA team members have died, the highest death toll in United Nations history.

“It is time to be courageous: a final agreement will bring a ceasefire and respite to the people of Gaza, Lebanon, Israel and the wider region,” he wrote in the article. a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Continuing, he said it was time to put down the guns after decades of killing and immense pain, and release all hostages safely to their families.

“The time has come to bring standard basic humanitarian supplies to the hungry and sick in Gaza. There are no winners in wars. The only way out is through diplomacy and peace. It’s time to heal. It’s time to choose peace!”