UN News Champion: ‘Are you keeping up with the death?’ The grinding toll of war in Gaza
24 December 2024
The Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, addressed the United Nations Security Council on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. He said that the death toll in Gaza has reached 310, including 66 children.
“Are you keeping up with the death?” Wennesland asked. “Because the death keeps happening. Another child. Another parent. Another destruction. Another loss.”
He continued, “In the last 10 days alone, 20 Palestinians were killed, including five children. And in the same period, nine Israelis were killed. What are we doing? Are we keeping up with the death? Are we still counting? Are we even asking why?”
Wennesland urged the parties to cease fire immediately and unconditionally. He also called for an independent and transparent investigation into the deaths.
“The killing must stop,” he said. “Every death is a tragedy. Every child killed is a wound on our collective conscience.”
The Security Council is expected to hold a vote on a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Background
The conflict in Gaza is the latest in a series of wars between Israel and the Palestinians. The conflict began in 2006 when Hamas, a militant group that controls Gaza, won the Palestinian parliamentary elections. Israel responded by imposing a blockade on Gaza, which has crippled the economy and led to a humanitarian crisis.
In 2014, Israel launched a major offensive in Gaza, which killed over 2,000 Palestinians. In 2021, Israel launched another offensive in Gaza, which killed over 250 Palestinians.
The current conflict began on 10 May 2024, when Hamas fired a rocket at Jerusalem. Israel responded by launching airstrikes on Gaza. The conflict has since spread to other parts of the occupied Palestinian territory, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Humanitarian crisis
The conflict has caused a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The blockade has prevented food, fuel, and medicine from entering the territory. The Israeli military has also destroyed homes, schools, and hospitals.
The United Nations has warned that the situation in Gaza is “catastrophic.” The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said that over 1 million Palestinians in Gaza are now displaced.
International response
The international community has condemned the violence in Gaza. The United States has called for a ceasefire, and the European Union has urged both sides to show restraint.
The United Nations Security Council is expected to hold a vote on a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Additional information
- The death toll in Gaza is likely to be higher than the official figure, as many bodies have not yet been recovered.
- The conflict has also caused a humanitarian crisis in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
- The international community is calling for a ceasefire and an independent investigation into the deaths.
UN News Champion: ‘Are you keeping up with the death?’ The grinding toll of war in Gaza
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