New Delhi, Nov 6: In a display of unity, the leaders of all major UN agencies have issued a joint statement demanding an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” declaring “enough is enough.” Expressing deep concern over the escalating human toll in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, the UN heads are calling for an end to the ongoing conflict.
The heads of prominent organizations such as UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme, and humanitarian organizations like Save the Children have decried the “horrific” loss of life on both sides and have called for the unconditional release of hostages taken during the attacks initiated by Hamas on October 7.
Over the past month, the world has watched with shock and dismay as the situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territory has spiralled, resulting in an alarming number of lives lost and disrupted.
According to Israeli authorities, approximately 1,400 people have been killed, and thousands have sustained injuries. Over 200 individuals, including children, have been held hostage, while rocket attacks continue to traumatize families.
The scale of displacement has reached tens of thousands, an alarming human tragedy. However, the loss of innocent lives in Gaza and the isolation of 2.2 million Palestinians from essential resources such as food, water, medicine, electricity, and fuel are equally intolerable.
Gaza, as per the Ministry of Health’s figures, has witnessed the deaths of nearly 9,500 people, including 3,900 children and over 2,400 women, with more than 23,000 injured individuals in dire need of immediate medical attention within overwhelmed hospitals. The entire population is under siege, enduring relentless attacks that target homes, shelters, hospitals, and places of worship.
The statement highlights that more than 100 attacks on healthcare facilities have been reported, leading to the tragic loss of aid workers’ lives, including 88 UNRWA colleagues since October 7, marking the highest number of UN fatalities ever recorded in a single conflict.
The joint plea reiterates the parties’ obligation to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights laws. It insists on the immediate and unconditional release of all civilian hostages and underscores the necessity of protecting civilians and vital infrastructure, including hospitals, shelters, and schools. It also calls for the safe and swift entry of essential aid, such as food, water, medicine, and fuel, at the required scale, reaching those in need, particularly women and children.
The UN agencies insist on an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, emphasizing that 30 days of conflict are far too long, and the time for cessation is now.