Palestine violence is ‘massacre not conflict’, Mazari tells UN chief

Human rights minister takes exception to Guterres, urges UN to protect Palestinians from ‘Israel's state terrorism’

KARACHI:

Federal Minister for Human rights Shireen Mazari on Saturday took exception to UN chief Antonio Guterres calling the current violence in the Mideast a "conflict," saying it is instead a “massacre”.

"With respect honorable SG (secretary general) this is not a conflict but a massacre by an Occupation Power & UN needs to enforce its responsibility to protect the Palestinian people against Israel's state terrorism," Mazari said on Twitter.

"Remember Ch(arter) VII of UN Charter!” she added, referring to section of the document allowing for the UN Security Council to determine the existence of any threat to the peace, or act of aggression, and to take military and non-military action to restore international peace and security.

With respect Hon SG this is not a conflict but a massacre by an Occupation Power & UN needs to enforce its responsibility to protect the Palestinian people against Israel's state terrorism. Remember Ch VII of UN Charter! #GazaUnderAttack #PalestineBleeding #IStandWithPalestine https://t.co/PgIrSZ1XrG

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) May 15, 2021

On Friday, Guterres called for "de-escalation" and "cessation of hostilities" in Gaza and Israel.

"I appeal for an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities in Gaza and Israel. Too many innocent civilians have already died. This conflict can only increase radicalization and extremism in the whole region," he said in a tweet.

Out of respect for the spirit of Eid, I appeal for an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities in Gaza and Israel. Too many innocent civilians have already died. This conflict can only increase radicalization and extremism in the whole region.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 13, 2021

Israeli attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip killed eight more Palestinians early Saturday, bringing the death toll to 139, along with 950 injured, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Six children and two women were killed by Israeli forces in the latest attack on a residence.

Tensions have been running high in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem and at the Al-Aqsa mosque since the holy month of Ramazan, as Israeli forces and settlers assaulted Palestinians.

Tensions spread from East Jerusalem to Gaza after Palestinian resistance groups there vowed to retaliate against Israeli assaults on Al-Aqsa mosque and Sheikh Jarrah if they were not halted.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. It annexed the entire city in 1980, in a move never recognised by the international community.