Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the situation in the Middle East

The Secretary-General reiterates his pressing call to both the government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas to go the extra mile needed to make an agreement come true and stop the present suffering.  

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the indications that a large-scale military operation in Rafah may be imminent.  We are already seeing movements of people – many of these are in desperate humanitarian condition and have been repeatedly displaced. They search safety that has been so many times denied.

The Secretary-General reminds the parties that the protection of civilians is paramount in international humanitarian law. 

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General