Türkiye UN envoy demands 'immediate,' 'unconditional' cease-fire in Gaza

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - Türkiye's UN Ambassador Sedat Onal demanded an "immediate" and "unconditional" cease-fire in Gaza on Tuesday amid hostilities by Israel.

Onal said Türkiye deems it "very important" to deescalate the situation and prevent regional spillover of the conflict.

"Protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure is of paramount importance; unimpeded humanitarian access, and provision of basic services, again, is very important," the Turkish envoy said at a Jordan-hosted event at UN headquarters that addressed the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Onal said the Israeli the practices of siege and collective punishment in Palestinian territories should be put to an end.

"As an international community, we should be able to rise up to this challenge," he said. "And what will happen and what is happening should not be another reason why to keep eroding established parameters for a two-state solution. Rather, it should be a wake-up call for all of us to go back to the need of revitalization of the peace process.”

He said Türkiye believes a viable political solution based on a two-state vision would pave the way for peace and security for the two sides.

"As Türkiye, we will take part in all efforts in addressing all dimensions of this crisis," he added.

Israel's bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued for 11 days into the conflict with the Palestinian group, Hamas, with more than 1 million people displaced -- almost half of Gaza's population, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The fighting began Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

The group said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

At least 3,061 Palestinians have been killed and 13,750 injured in the ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the enclave, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza.

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed in the armed conflict.

*Serife Cetin contributed to the story from the United Nations