"HOSTAGES"

United Nations Secretary-General regretted the resumption of hostilities in Gaza and Israel, and “he urges all concerned parties to swiftly find a way to resume the pause in the fighting and facilitate the release of more hostages,” a UN spokesperson said. UNIFEED

“I must echo loud and clear what our colleagues in Gaza have just stressed. The bombs have got to stop. Again civilians are living a nightmare. Again we are receiving reports of bombings in northern Gaza, in the middle of Gaza. Reports of leaflets being dropped on Khan Younis telling civilians to flee,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office. UNTV CH

With the resumption of military operations in the Gaza strip in the early hours of Friday, UN humanitarians on Friday called for an immediate halt of hostilities in the war-shattered Palestinian enclave and called on parties and States with influence to ensure a ceasefire. UNTV CH

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “WHO welcomes the extension of the humanitarian pause in the conflict in Gaza, and the release of hostages and prisoners by both sides, the pause has enabled WHO to increase deliveries of medical supplies in Gaza, and to transfer patients from Al-Shifa hospital to other hospitals south of the Wadi Gaza.” WHO

In a message delivered by the Deputy Secretary-General during an event marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Secretary-General said that this is a day for reaffirming international solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to live in peace and dignity. UNIFEED

UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council, “we need a true humanitarian ceasefire,” adding that a failure of establishing a two-State solution “will condemn Palestinians, Israelis, the region and the world, to a never-ending cycle of death and destruction.” UNIFEED

On the fifth day of a pause in fighting in the Gaza Strip, UN humanitarians echoed the UN Secretary-General and called for a full humanitarian ceasefire and for more aid deliveries to enter into the devastated enclave, such is the scale of need. UNTV CH

Asked about possible extension of humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza for another two days, the Secretary-General said, “I would say it's a glimpse of hope and humanity in the middle of the darkness of war.” UNIFEED

A UN humanitarian said that after a four-day-day pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas, which started on Friday at 7 am local time, trucks carrying humanitarian deliveries entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing from Egypt, bringing respite to the Gazans in the devastated Palestinian enclave. UNTV CH

Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Sami Bahous welcomed "the news that 50 hostages, all women, and children, will be released in return for the release of 150 Palestinian women and children, and a much-needed humanitarian pause.” UNIFEED