Guterres urges support for UN-Egypt truce deal on Gaza
UNITED NATIONS, United States: UN Secretary- General Antonio Guterres welcomed Israel’s decision to reopen a crossing point with Gaza and appealed for support for UN efforts with Egypt to address the crisis in the Palestinian enclave.
Earlier Wednesday, Israel reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing which had been closed to most goods since July 9 as tensions in Gaza flared.
The crossing is a vital lifeline for Gazans and their crippled economy, but Israel had closed it to goods except for food and medicine to pressure Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the territory.
Guterres said in a statement that he was “encouraged to see those concerned have responded to calls to avoid the devastating impact of yet another conflict on the civilian population in and around Gaza.”
He called on ‘all parties’ to support efforts led by UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov and Egypt “to avoid an escalation and address all humanitarian issues in Gaza and the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza.”
The opening came as speculation mounted over indirect negotiations mediated by Egypt and UN officials to reach a longterm truce between Israel and Hamas.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said more than 400 truckloads of goods are expected to enter Gaza.
Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, including Hamas, have fought three wars since 2008 and tensions since late March have led to fears of yet another full-blown conflict.
At least 169 Gazans have since been killed by Israeli fire, mostly during clashes and protests that began in March.
One Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper in July. — AFP