The President of the UN General Assembly, Philémon Yang, has lamented that the Middle East has been witnessing death, destruction and displacement for too long, calling for the release of hostages.
Yang, in a statement on Monday emphasised the need for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of the hostages, and “a return to dialogue with a view to finding diplomatic solutions to the conflicts in the region.”
Monday marks the anniversary of the terrorist attack by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas militia and others, where more than 1,200 people were killed in southern Israel and around 250 were taken hostage to the Gaza Strip.
Israel retaliated with massive attacks that have killed more than 41,800 people, the Hamas-run health ministry says.
He stated that no sustainable peace could be achieved through military means, and only a two-State solution based on the UN Charter, international law, and relevant UN resolutions could guarantee lasting peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the rest of the region.
“I call for all parties – Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah – to abide by their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law.
“I also urgently call for the protection of civilians and the unimpeded access to the much-needed humanitarian assistance,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, expressed heartfelt solidarity with the victims of the October 7 attacks, their families, and affected communities.
“Today we stand united in remembrance of those who lost their lives and in unwavering support of the survivors who bear the scars of that fateful day, in particular the victims of sexual violence, a heinous crime that has devastating physical and psychological impacts,” she said.
Patten recalled her mission to Israel earlier this year which concluded that conflict-related sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, was committed during the attacks in multiple areas across the Gaza periphery, and subsequently against hostages during captivity.
Furthermore, there are reasonable grounds to believe such violence against hostages may still be ongoing.
The UN expert voiced continued concern over the plight of hostages still in captivity and reiterated her call for their immediate, safe and unconditional release.
She also urged political leaders and those with influence over the warring parties to step up efforts towards ensuring their release.
“A year since these heinous attacks, victims, survivors, and their families deserve justice.
“It is of vital importance to ensure fully-fledged independent investigations into all allegations of sexual violence during or in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks.
“My mandate stands resolute in its offer of support to the Israeli authorities, in the pursuit of justice and accountability,” she said.
The UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, noted that the attacks were the deadliest in Israel’s history “- a horrific event that foreshadowed the devastation brought on by the Israeli response.”
The staggering toll includes the more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals killed, and nearly 5,500 injured, while more than 41,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip, and 96,900 injured, according to the local Ministry of Health.
Thousands more are believed to be trapped under the rubble.
Nearly everyone in Gaza has been displaced, many multiple times over, and there is nowhere safe to go.
Civilians also face extreme deprivation, with limited or no access to healthcare, food, electricity or humanitarian aid, and children have missed an entire year of education.
At the same time, schools sheltering displaced families have been repeatedly shelled, healthcare workers and hospitals have been systematically attacked, and aid convoys have been continually blocked and even shot at, OCHA said.
