by Jan 23, 2024
UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued sharp words for Israel’s mass slaughter of civilians in Gaza. The Israeli onslaught in Gaza has killed more than 10,000 children in just over three months.
“In Gaza, Israel’s military operations have spread massive destruction and killed civilians on a scale unprecedented during my time as Secretary General, including more than 150 members of our own staff,” Guterres said on Sunday. “This is heart-breaking, and utterly unacceptable.”
Tel Aviv launched its war in Gaza following a Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed nearly 1,200 people, including about 700 civilians. The Israeli forces have killed at least 25,000 people, at least 70% are innocent women and children. Thousands more are missing and are likely dead under the rubble.
The Israeli war has taken a harsh toll on aid workers and journalists in Gaza. The UN has described the Israeli war on Gaza as the deadliest for their staff members. About ten percent of all Journalists have been killed by Israeli military operations. Only one percent of the population of Gaza has been killed, suggesting Tel Aviv is targeting journalists.
In his address, Guterres warned that the war could expand throughout the Middle East. “The Middle East is a tinderbox. We must do all we can to prevent conflict igniting across the region,” he said.
In the past week, the US has bombed Yemen, Iraq, and Somalia. Israel has attacked Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria. American troops in Iraq and Syria have come under fire from Shia militias. Additionally, the Houthis are firing on Israeli and American-linked ships sailing near Yemen.
While most of the violence in the region is a result of the Israeli military operations in Gaza, the US claims it is attempting to de-escalate the situation by bombing the Houthis and Shia militias. The US strikes have caused retaliatory attacks against US forces and ships.
The Joe Biden administration has refused to place any serious pressure on Tel Aviv to end the war in Gaza to lower regional tensions. The US has significant leverage over Israel as Tel Aviv is dependent on Washington’s military support.
* Kyle Anzalone is news editor of the Libertarian Institute, opinion editor of Antiwar.com and co-host of Conflicts of Interest with Will Porter and Connor Freeman.
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