UN Adviser Alice Nderitu warns of military escalation in the Middle East
The Special Adviser called on both the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to return to the dialogue table and demonstrate to the world that "out of violence, peace can emerge".
The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Wairimu Nderitu has said active steps must be taken to ensure to prevent further escalation of violence following the continued war between Israel and Hamas.
The Special Adviser called on both the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to return to the dialogue table and demonstrate to the world that "out of violence, peace can emerge".
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"I appeal to Hamas to immediately release all hostages as a sign of goodwill to prevent an escalation for which the Palestinian population should never bear the price," she said.
"A ceasefire must be called immediately for constructive dialogue to be possible. No effort should be spared to take a step forward in the direction of peace."
Nderitu also voiced her concern at the impact the dynamics can have in other countries, where the proliferation of anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim offline and online hate speech as well as identity-based violence allegedly inspired the situation in the Middle East has been reported.
Nderitu also condemned the holding of Israeli hostages by Hamas and the vulnerability of Palestinians and other civilians fleeing their homes in light of ongoing and escalating risks of violence affecting them.
She also condemned last week's attack by Hamas explicitly targeting civilians in Israeli territory and offered her condolences to the families of the victims.
"This is unacceptable. Violence against innocent civilians is always inexcusable and cannot be justified. Such violence is particularly vicious when it is targeted on the basis of identity," Nderitu said in a statement on Sunday.
The Special Adviser said she was gravely concerned at the escalating dynamics of the past week and echoed the calls by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres for the immediate release of all abducted persons and reiterated the need to reinforce all possible diplomatic actions aimed at restraining the risk of further escalation of violence.
"The Special Adviser is especially alarmed at the continued indiscriminate rocket fire by Hamas into Israeli territory and at the loss of civilian lives resulting from Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip," the statement read.
International Law
"Compliance with International Law must be prioritised and innocent civilians should never pay the price of a conflict for which they bear no responsibility. Their most basic rights must be protected and preserved. Their humanitarian needs must be met."
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