PHOTO
This aerial view shows people walking at the site of the Ahli Arab hospital in central Gaza on October 18, 2023 in the aftermath of an overnight strike there. A blast ripped through a hospital in war-torn Gaza killing hundreds of people late on October 17, sparking global condemnation and angry protests around the Muslim world. Israel and Palestinians traded blame for the incident, which an "outraged and deeply saddened" US President Joe Biden denounced while en route to the Middle East. (Photo by Shadi AL-TABATIBI / AFP)
ABU DHABI: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a telephone call today from His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. During the call, they discussed the urgent need to implement measures that prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The conversation emphasised intensifying diplomatic efforts to open critical humanitarian corridors and to establish a humanitarian ceasefire to enable the unobstructed delivery of relief and medical aid to Gaza.
His Highness and the UN Secretary-General underscored the priority of ensuring civilian protection in accordance with international humanitarian law, particularly in light of the violence and worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The two sides also emphasised the importance of urgent action to halt escalation and enable diplomatic efforts to contain the situation and restore calm. They also highlighted the grave potential repercussions of the crisis on regional peace, stability, and security.
Moreover, the discussion covered the role of the United Nations in coordinating with key international stakeholders to find a political horizon to advance a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace between Israel and Palestine, to achieve sustainable security and stability in the Middle East