Guterres urges ceasefire and release of hostages, two years after Hamas-led attacks on Israel
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has marked two years since the Hamas-led terror attacks on southern Israel by renewing his call for the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages still held in Gaza.
He said the world must “end the suffering for all”, describing the situation as “a humanitarian catastrophe on a scale that defies comprehension.”
Gaza’s health ministry says over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed and 170,000 injured since Israel’s offensive began.
At the same time, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Israel’s “disproportionate response” has left children paying the heaviest price — 61,000 killed or maimed since the war began — that’s one child every 17 minutes.
Speaking in Geneva, spokesperson Ricardo Pires condemned the continued bombardments and said lifesaving medical equipment is still being blocked from reaching children in need:
“What we’re hearing from colleagues on the ground is that the violence continues in the north part of Gaza and in the south – bombardments, air strikes, children dying. We’ve been denied incubators and ventilators for children from the north. They desperately need that to survive. We’re talking about children sharing oxygen masks in order to stay alive – and those requests have been declined day in and day out. (and were still waiting today hopefully for that to happen).”
In a statement, UN relief chief Tom Fletcher, also called for an immediate ceasefire and free humanitarian access, warning that “tens of thousands have been killed and hundreds of thousands endure starvation and displacement.”
“There’s now a glimmer of hope that this can happen,” he added. “We must keep it alive.”
The UN relief agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said Gazans have known “nothing but destruction, fear, death and hunger” for two years, urging a halt to the fighting, full humanitarian access, and justice for victims.
Mozambique conflict escalates, forcing 22,000 to flee in a week — UNHCR warns of “turning point”
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says violence is flaring once again in northern Mozambique, forcing nearly 22,000 people to flee their homes in a single week in late September.
UNHCR warned that after eight years of conflict in Cabo Delgado province, civilians are increasingly being targeted — not just caught in the crossfire.
The latest wave of displacement is among the largest this year, bringing the total to more than 100,000 people forced to flee since January.
Speaking from Pemba, UNHCR Representative Xavier Creach described a “turning point” in the crisis, saying families are traumatised, losing hope, and afraid to return home.
“Civilians are not anymore collateral victims of this conflict. Now they are directly targeted. Children are of course among the most affected, with lots of testimonies of forced recruitment, abduction, family separation, while the women are particularly exposed. They have been exposed during the attacks, they were exposed during displacement, while in particular while they collect food or water. I’ve been particularly shocked by the situation of people with disabilities and elderly. Many have of course struggled to flee, but many have been left behind.”
UNHCR says more than 1.3 million people have been displaced since 2017, and that the recent surge in violence is the worst since 2021.
Sudan: Civilians flee besieged El Fasher as fighting and hunger intensify
Finally, to Sudan, where the UN says fighting around the besieged city of El Fasher in North Darfur is forcing more families to flee their homes.
According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 770 people fled between 2 and 4 October alone, seeking safety in the nearby town of Tawila.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said civilians must be protected and those fleeing must be given safe passage.
He repeated calls for the siege of El Fasher to be lifted and for unimpeded humanitarian access to reach hundreds of thousands trapped there for over 500 days.
Katy Dartford, UN News
Source of original article: United Nations (news.un.org). Photo credit: UN. The content of this article does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of Global Diaspora News (www.globaldiasporanews.com).
To submit your press release: (https://www.globaldiasporanews.com/pr).
To advertise on Global Diaspora News: (www.globaldiasporanews.com/ads).
Sign up to Global Diaspora News newsletter (https://www.globaldiasporanews.com/newsletter/) to start receiving updates and opportunities directly in your email inbox for free.
