JAKARTA - The United Nations said on Thursday that any new violence in the Gaza Strip, Palestine would only make the repatriation of hostages that were still being carried out a further goal.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East Khaled Khiari said the return of hostilities threatens all civilians, including the hostages, of whom 24 are thought to be still alive.
"With the passing day after day, we are further away from the goal of returning the remaining hostages safely to their homes," Khiari told a UN Security Council briefing.
At least 91 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in airstrikes in Gaza on Thursday, in addition to hundreds of people killed since Israeli attacks resumed on Tuesday, Gaza's Ministry of Health said.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said during the meeting the attack on what he called the Hamas terror target would continue "until every last hostage returns."
Meanwhile, Acting US Representative to the United Nations Dorothy Shea blamed Hamas for restarting hostilities by "repeatedly refusing to accept a proposal to extend the ceasefire."
"President Trump has emphasized: Hamas must immediately release all 59 hostages including American citizens or pay a heavy price," he said.
"We continue to support Israel as they defend themselves and encourage the release of all hostages from Hamas' detention," said Shea.
British Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations James Kariuki said London criticized the statement by Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, warning about Gaza's total destruction as "unacceptable".
Kariuki said the ceasefire agreement in January had been "failed" by Israeli and British airstrikes urging both sides to immediately return to the deal as "the best opportunity we've seen to return the hostages to their families and end suffering."
In line with her, Russian Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy said there was no justification for the treatment of Sharabi, but continued: "we are also saddened by everyone who has died from an escalation that has lasted for more than 18 months now."
"This endless violence cycle must end," he said, adding Russia deeply regretted the resumption of Israeli military operations.
SEE ALSO:
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Envoy for the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, expressed his condolences to Sharabi and said Palestinians understand his suffering, "because we experience it, they bear it every day," adding:
"If Netanyahu really cared about the hostages, he would not destroy the ceasefire that would allow their release," he said.
On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to continue bombings in Gaza has sparked protests in Israel, with the family coalition of hostages and critic PM Netanyahu reuniting and accusing him of using Gaza's war for political purposes.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
