By love-89.com On October 14, during a press briefing, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, via his spokesperson, condemned the significant civilian casualties resulting from Israeli military actions in northern Gaza. He urged all parties involved in the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian law, emphasizing that the protection of civilians must be a priority at all times.
As this statement was being issued, reports surfaced from the BBC indicating that Israeli artillery targeted a food distribution center in Jabaliya refugee camp, located in northern Gaza. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) confirmed the attack, which resulted in at least ten fatalities and around forty injuries while people were attempting to collect food.
The Israeli military has stated that it is currently reviewing the incident, asserting that its operations are “only aimed at terror targets.” However, reports from the Palestinian News Agency indicated that Israeli forces also launched an attack on a house in Jabaliya on the evening of October 14, killing four civilians and injuring several others.
Medical sources reported that Israeli strikes on northern Gaza have resulted in over 342 civilian deaths over the past ten days. Additionally, the Associated Press and Lebanon’s National News Agency reported an Israeli airstrike on an apartment building in the northern Lebanese region of Aitaroun, which led to at least 21 deaths and eight injuries. The Israeli military has yet to comment on the attack, and the intended target remains unclear, especially since the affected area is distanced from Hezbollah’s main influence in southern and eastern Lebanon.
According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at the Golani Brigade training base on October 14, stated that Israel would continue its operations against Hezbollah throughout Lebanon, including in the capital, Beirut. This training base had been recently targeted by a Hezbollah drone attack that resulted in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers.
Netanyahu also addressed accusations that Israel had intentionally targeted personnel from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), declaring these claims to be “completely false.” He reiterated Israel’s repeated requests for UNIFIL to vacate hazardous areas, expressing regret over any harm to UNIFIL personnel and asserting that the best way to ensure their safety is for them to heed Israel’s request to temporarily leave dangerous zones.
In light of these events, the UN Security Council expressed serious concern over the multiple attacks on UNIFIL personnel, with the current Swiss representative to the UN, Pascale Baeriswyl, voicing the Council’s call for all parties to respect the safety of UN personnel and properties.
Furthermore, according to a report by The Washington Post, two knowledgeable officials disclosed that Netanyahu has communicated to the U.S. government a willingness to target Iranian military installations but intends to avoid striking the nation’s oil or nuclear facilities.
On the Iranian side, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian announced on October 14 that non-direct dialogue between Iran and the U.S. has been suspended due to the situation in the region. He indicated that Iran sees no reason for such discussions until the current crisis can be resolved, reiterating that Iran does not seek to initiate war in the region but is fully prepared for any eventuality. He also emphasized that diplomatic efforts should be aimed at preventing war from breaking out.