Israel treats the UN with contempt

Israel launched more strikes on two towns in Lebanon’s historic Baalbek region, killing 19 people, including eight women. An Israeli air strike at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahiya town destroyed a warehouse containing medical supplies received only days ago. Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed at least 43,163 Palestinians and wounded 101,510 others since October 7, 2023. An estimated 1,139 people underwent killing in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks and more than 200 were taken captive. In Lebanon, at least 2,822 people underwent killing and 12,937 wounded in Israeli attacks since the war on Gaza began. Temporarily, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is cautiously optimistic about the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire. He said Washington’s Middle East envoy suggested a truce could be within reach. The announcement in this regard may come within days as Israeli media published what it said was a draft truce agreement providing for an initial 60-day cessation of fighting. Mikati said he became more optimistic about the possibility of a truce after speaking with the United States envoy for the Middle East, Amos Hochstein, who was due to travel to Israel on Thursday. Hochstein, during his call with me, suggested to me that we could reach an agreement before the end of the month and before November 5, Mikati told Lebanon’s Al Jadeed television, referring to the date of the US election. We are doing everything we can, and we should remain hopeful that in the coming hours or days, we will have a ceasefire, Mikati said. Israeli public broadcaster Kan published what it said was a leaked proposal written by Washington in which Israel would withdraw its forces from Lebanon within the first week of a proposed 60-day ceasefire. The Reuters news agency obtained similar details regarding the proposal from two sources familiar with the matter. Asked to comment on the leak, White House national security spokesperson Sean Savett said that many reports and drafts are circulating. They do not reflect the current state of negotiations. Kan reported that the draft presented to Israel’s leaders did not immediately receive comment from Israeli officials. Not satisfied with the war of annihilation it is executing against the Palestinian people, Israel now wants to ensure that no relief reaches the distressed people of the occupied territories. For decades, UNRWA has served as an important humanitarian support to millions of defenseless Palestinians. So shocking is the Israeli plan to outlaw the UN agency that even some of the Zionist state’s steadfast supporters such as the US and UK have warned Tel Aviv against going ahead with it. Israel accuses UNRWA employees of taking part in the Oct 7 attacks last year, though no trustworthy proof of this has materialized. It is safe to assume that accusing UN staffers of armed activity is simply a ploy to stop humanitarian aid from getting to the Palestinians, and ensuring they starve to death or die of disease, in case they have managed to survive the blood-drenched Israeli massacre in Gaza. Israel’s leaders for decades have treated the UN and the international community with contempt. Very recently, Tel Aviv’s foreign minister declared UN Secretary-General António Guterres persona non grata, barring him from entering Israel. The minister used highly offensive language against Mr Guterres, terming him a stain on the history of the UN. Over in Lebanon, Israeli forces have fired at positions manned by UN peacekeepers, injuring several Blue Helmets in one incident. All these examples clearly illustrate the fact that Israel is a rogue state, not bound by any law or moral imperative. Israel’s Western helpers must do more than express concern over a halt to relief work in the occupied territories.