The Security Council just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable.
From Rafah, I have a message to Palestinians in Gaza: You are not alone. People around the world are outraged by the horrors we are all witnessing in real time. I carry the voices of the vast majority of the world who have seen enough. Who have had enough. And who still believe that human dignity and decency must define us as a global community. It’s our only hope. It’s time to truly flood Gaza with life-saving aid. The choice is clear: either surge or starvation. Let’s choose the side of help – the side of hope – and the right side of history. I will not give up. And all of us must not give up in doing all we can for our common humanity to prevail in Gaza and around the world. 📷: General Hospital in Al Arish, Egypt (UN Photo/Mark Garten)
From Rafah, I have a message to Palestinians in Gaza: You are not alone. People around the world are outraged by the horrors we are all witnessing in real time. I carry the voices of the vast majority of the world who have seen enough. Who have had enough. And who still believe that human dignity and decency must define us as a global community. It’s our only hope. It’s time to truly flood Gaza with life-saving aid. The choice is clear: either surge or starvation. Let’s choose the side of help – the side of hope – and the right side of history. I will not give up. And all of us must not give up in doing all we can for our common humanity to prevail in Gaza and around the world. 📷: General Hospital in Al Arish, Egypt (UN Photo/Mark Garten)
From Rafah, I have a message to Palestinians in Gaza: You are not alone. People around the world are outraged by the horrors we are all witnessing in real time. I carry the voices of the vast majority of the world who have seen enough. Who have had enough. And who still believe that human dignity and decency must define us as a global community. It’s our only hope. It’s time to truly flood Gaza with life-saving aid. The choice is clear: either surge or starvation. Let’s choose the side of help – the side of hope – and the right side of history. I will not give up. And all of us must not give up in doing all we can for our common humanity to prevail in Gaza and around the world. 📷: General Hospital in Al Arish, Egypt (UN Photo/Mark Garten)
From Rafah, I have a message to Palestinians in Gaza: You are not alone. People around the world are outraged by the horrors we are all witnessing in real time. I carry the voices of the vast majority of the world who have seen enough. Who have had enough. And who still believe that human dignity and decency must define us as a global community. It’s our only hope. It’s time to truly flood Gaza with life-saving aid. The choice is clear: either surge or starvation. Let’s choose the side of help – the side of hope – and the right side of history. I will not give up. And all of us must not give up in doing all we can for our common humanity to prevail in Gaza and around the world. 📷: General Hospital in Al Arish, Egypt (UN Photo/Mark Garten)
The devastating Israeli airstrikes that killed World Central Kitchen personnel yesterday bring the number of aid workers killed in this conflict to 196 – including more than 175 members of our own @unitednations staff. This is unconscionable. It demonstrates yet again the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the expansion of humanitarian aid into Gaza – as the Security Council demanded in its resolution last week. The resolution must be implemented without delay.
Famine is imminent in the northern part of Gaza, according to the world’s leading experts on food insecurity. 1.1 million people in Gaza are facing catastrophic hunger – the highest number ever recorded – anywhere, anytime. This is an entirely manmade disaster. And it can – and must – be halted. I call on the Israeli authorities to ensure complete and unfettered access for humanitarian goods throughout Gaza and for the international community to fully support our humanitarian efforts. We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Now. We must act now to prevent the unthinkable, the unacceptable and the unjustifiable.
Palestinians in Gaza remain stuck in a non-stop nightmare. From the Rafah crossing, I have seen the heartbreak and heartlessness. A long line of blocked relief trucks on one side of the gates. The long shadow of starvation on the other. That is beyond tragic. It’s a moral outrage.
I am on a Ramadan solidarity mission to Jordan to meet Palestine refugees being served by @unrwa. I visited a health centre, sat in on classes, and met with inspiring young student leaders. Here in Jordan, but also in Syria, Lebanon and, of course, in the occupied West Bank & Gaza – UNRWA is a lifeline of hope and dignity: providing education for over half a million girls and boys, health care for around two million people, and ensuring a social safety net for nearly half a million of the poorest Palestinians. In a darkening world, UNRWA is the one ray of light for millions of people. We must not take that hope away.
Last year I saw for myself what our latest climate report has just confirmed: Antarctic ice loss is accelerating in dangerous ways. Glaciers likely lost more ice than ever before. And the sirens are blaring across all major indicators: Last year saw record heat, record sea levels, and record ocean surface temperatures. Fossil fuel pollution is sending climate chaos off the charts, and changes are speeding-up. There’s still time to throw out a lifeline to people and planet – but leaders must step up and #ActNow. 📷: UN Photo/Mark Garten, Narendra Shrestha (2023)
Last year I saw for myself what our latest climate report has just confirmed: Antarctic ice loss is accelerating in dangerous ways. Glaciers likely lost more ice than ever before. And the sirens are blaring across all major indicators: Last year saw record heat, record sea levels, and record ocean surface temperatures. Fossil fuel pollution is sending climate chaos off the charts, and changes are speeding-up. There’s still time to throw out a lifeline to people and planet – but leaders must step up and #ActNow. 📷: UN Photo/Mark Garten, Narendra Shrestha (2023)
Last year I saw for myself what our latest climate report has just confirmed: Antarctic ice loss is accelerating in dangerous ways. Glaciers likely lost more ice than ever before. And the sirens are blaring across all major indicators: Last year saw record heat, record sea levels, and record ocean surface temperatures. Fossil fuel pollution is sending climate chaos off the charts, and changes are speeding-up. There’s still time to throw out a lifeline to people and planet – but leaders must step up and #ActNow. 📷: UN Photo/Mark Garten, Narendra Shrestha (2023)
Sunday marks six months since Hamas launched its abhorrent terror attacks in Israel. I mourn with Israelis for the 1,200 people, including many women and children, killed in cold blood, and renew my call for the unconditional release of all hostages still held by Hamas and others. I have met with many of the family members of those being held captive and even former hostages themselves. I carry their anguish, uncertainty and deep pain with me every day. Six months on, the Israeli military campaign has brought relentless death and destruction to Gaza – with more than 32,000 people reportedly killed and more than 75,000 injured – the vast majority women and children. More than half the population are facing catastrophic hunger. Children today are dying for lack of food and water. This is incomprehensible, and entirely avoidable. Six months on, we are at the brink. It’s time to step back – to silence the guns, to ease the horrible suffering, and to stop a potential famine before it is too late.
Every year, I undertake a solidarity mission during the holy month of Ramadan to shine a light on Muslim communities in distress. This year, I have come to the Rafah crossing to spotlight the hardship and pain of Palestinians in Gaza – and the obstacles to easing their plight. This morning, I met with injured Palestinian civilians at the General Hospital in Al Arish, Egypt. I was extremely moved by their stories, experiences and the hardships they have endured, and by the generosity and solidarity of the Egyptian people. From the Rafah crossing, I see the heartbreak and heartlessness of it all. A long line of blocked relief trucks on one side of the gates. The long shadow of starvation on the other. That is more than tragic. It is a moral outrage. I say again: nothing justifies the horrific attacks by Hamas on October 7th. And nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. Now more than ever, it is time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. It is time for an ironclad commitment by Israel for total, unfettered access for humanitarian goods throughout Gaza. In the Ramadan spirit of compassion, it’s time for the immediate release of all hostages.
In 1994, one million children, women and men were killed in the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Families turned against families, friends became foes, and a dark spirit of intentional and brutal violence engulfed a nation. We will never forget the victims of this genocide. Nor will we ever forget the bravery and resilience of those who survived, whose courage and willingness to forgive remain a burst of light and hope amidst this dark chapter in human history.
I cannot shake the heartbreak I witnessed while meeting with Palestine and Sudanese refugees during my Ramadan solidarity visit to Egypt and Jordan. But I will not give up. We must keep doing all we can to allow our common humanity to prevail in Gaza and other places where people are suffering around the world. 📷: UN Photo/Mark Garten
I cannot shake the heartbreak I witnessed while meeting with Palestine and Sudanese refugees during my Ramadan solidarity visit to Egypt and Jordan. But I will not give up. We must keep doing all we can to allow our common humanity to prevail in Gaza and other places where people are suffering around the world. 📷: UN Photo/Mark Garten
I cannot shake the heartbreak I witnessed while meeting with Palestine and Sudanese refugees during my Ramadan solidarity visit to Egypt and Jordan. But I will not give up. We must keep doing all we can to allow our common humanity to prevail in Gaza and other places where people are suffering around the world. 📷: UN Photo/Mark Garten
I cannot shake the heartbreak I witnessed while meeting with Palestine and Sudanese refugees during my Ramadan solidarity visit to Egypt and Jordan. But I will not give up. We must keep doing all we can to allow our common humanity to prevail in Gaza and other places where people are suffering around the world. 📷: UN Photo/Mark Garten
The 7th of October is a day of pain for Israel and the world. Nothing can justify the horror unleashed by Hamas. I once again condemn the use of sexual violence, torture & kidnapping of civilians, and call for the unconditional release of all the hostages.
UNRWA is a lifeline of hope, providing education for more than half a million students, including these girls I met in Jordan last week. @unrwa must be allowed to continue providing vital services to keep hope flowing. 📷: UN Photo / Mark Garten
UNRWA is a lifeline of hope, providing education for more than half a million students, including these girls I met in Jordan last week. @unrwa must be allowed to continue providing vital services to keep hope flowing. 📷: UN Photo / Mark Garten
UNRWA is a lifeline of hope, providing education for more than half a million students, including these girls I met in Jordan last week. @unrwa must be allowed to continue providing vital services to keep hope flowing. 📷: UN Photo / Mark Garten
Racism is an evil infecting countries and societies around the world – a deeply entrenched legacy of colonialism and enslavement. The results are devastating: opportunities stolen; dignity denied; rights violated; lives taken and lives destroyed. On this #FightRacism Day, let’s commit to work together to build a world of dignity, justice and equal opportunity for every community, everywhere.
