On Sunday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke of the “dire” situation in the Gaza Strip, now in its third week of conflict between Hamas militants and Israel. During a press conference alongside Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the Secretary-General expressed his regret that the international community had not been able to secure a humanitarian truce, as the UN had previously recommended.
Guterres condemned the “appalling attacks perpetrated by Hamas,” but emphasised that “all parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law,” which seeks to protect human life and respect humanitarian concerns. He noted that the two million inhabitants of Gaza have been “denied the essentials for life – food, water, shelter and medical care – while being subjected to relentless bombardment.”
The Secretary-General reiterated his calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and a sustained humanitarian relief effort. He also praised Nepal’s tradition of championing peace and multilateralism, and expressed his gratitude for the country’s contribution to peacekeeping missions worldwide.
Guterres also praised Nepal’s progress over the past two decades, and expressed his hope that the country would soon graduate from Least Developed Country status. He noted that the UN was ready to support Nepal in developing a process of transitional justice that meets international standards.
The UN chief concluded his remarks by expressing his concern about the global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and climate chaos, that have been impacting Nepal. He urged developed countries to step up and help developing economies, including Nepal, to tackle the climate crisis, noting that he was due to visit the Himalayas to witness the impact of climate change on the glaciers.