UN Secretary-General: World must act to stop ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Gaza
Last Updated on November 2, 2024 5:43 am
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that Israel could carry out ‘ethnic cleansing’ in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza unless the international community takes firm action.
Guterres issued the warning as civilian casualties rose in the face of massive Israeli bombardment in northern Gaza.
While the death toll in Gaza has risen, Israeli blockades have hit the lowest level since the start of the war. In this situation, there are growing allegations that Israel is trying to expel Gaza residents, at least from part of the valley.
Guterres’ warning came after at least 93 people were killed in an Israeli attack on Beit Lahia in Gaza on Tuesday. The UN said in the incident that it was one of at least seven attacks that have killed many people in Gaza in the past week.
While the death toll in Gaza has risen, the Israeli blockade has reached its lowest level since the start of the war. There are growing allegations that Israel is trying to expel Gazans from at least part of the valley.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Conference on Biological Diversity (COP16) in Colombia, the UN Secretary-General indicated that “ethnic cleansing” has been prevented in Gaza so far. This has been possible because Gazans have refused to leave their homes under intense Israeli pressure and because the Arabs have not accepted their mass relocation.
Meanwhile, Guterres told The Guardian that it is likely that the intention is for the Palestinians to leave Gaza and for others to establish an occupation there.
He added that “that has not happened yet and I respect their courage and determination and the determination of the Arab world.”
The UN Secretary-General said, “We will do everything possible to help the people of Gaza stay in their land and to prevent possible ethnic cleansing. If the international community does not take strong action, ethnic cleansing could occur.”
The Secretary-General’s statement came after Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week that ethnic cleansing had already begun in Gaza. However, Israeli forces have denied that they are systematically evicting Gazans.