Immediate humanitarian cease-fire 'absolutely imperative,' in Gaza: UN human rights office

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) — An immediate humanitarian cease-fire is an "absolutely imperative" in Gaza, the UN human rights office told Anadolu on Tuesday.

"Colleagues across the UN are talking about the need for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire," spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell said in Geneva, responding to a question on opposition by some Western nations to a truce in the besieged enclave.

Considering "the picture that they painted, of how desperate the situation is," a truce at this point is absolutely vital, Throssell said, adding:

"I think going forward, of course, one also would hope that this would move towards cessation of hostilities, because really, the only answer to this is really an end to the violence."

The White House reiterated its opposition to a humanitarian cease-fire in the Gaza Strip on Monday, saying it would only benefit Palestinian group Hamas.

"We do not believe that a cease-fire is the right answer right now. We believe that a cease-fire right now benefits Hamas," National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters. "Hamas is the only one that would gain from that right now as Israel continues to prosecute their operations against Hamas leadership."

EU members Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Croatia also voted "no," while the UK abstained from the vote when the UN General Assembly's resolution for an "urgent, durable, and permanent humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza" was adopted.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak avoided mentioning a "cease-fire" while repeating the UK's position for "Israel's right to defend itself." Sunak proposed "certain pauses" instead of cease-fire.

Since last weekend the Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip — including houses and hospitals — which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

More than 9,800 people have been killed in the Gaza conflict, including 8,525 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis, according to official figures.

An Israeli blockade of the strip has also cut Gaza off from fuel, electricity, and water supplies, and reduced aid deliveries to a small trickle unable to satisfy the needs of the over 2 million Palestinians there.