Jerusalem: - United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, expressed profound shock and condemnation in response to an Israeli military strike on a convoy of ambulances in Gaza. Guterres emphatically called for an immediate end to the ongoing conflict, which has caused immense suffering in the region.

The incident unfolded as an Israeli missile struck an ambulance belonging to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, which was on the verge of reaching a Gaza City hospital. Eyewitnesses reported that the missile hit the vehicle just a few feet away from its intended destination, resulting in the tragic loss of 15 lives and leaving 60 individuals injured.

This horrifying episode occurred outside the Al Shifa hospital, which had previously been targeted by Israeli missile fire. Guterres, who had personally witnessed images of lifeless bodies strewn outside the hospital, described the situation as a stark and grim reflection of the ongoing conflict. International reports indicate that the hospital had been overwhelmed with people seeking refuge from the relentless Israeli bombardment.

The Israeli military defended its actions by claiming that the targeted ambulance was being utilized by Hamas militants. In response, the UN Secretary General acknowledged the ongoing terror attacks committed by Hamas in Israel for nearly a month but stressed that the suffering of civilians in Gaza, including women and children, could not be overlooked. They have faced a dire humanitarian crisis, marked by shortages of essential supplies, including food, water, medicine, and fuel. Hospitals and water treatment plants have been deprived of power, while UN refugee camps in Gaza have reached their maximum capacity and are not immune to bombings. Morgues are at full capacity, and sanitation conditions have deteriorated significantly, leading to a rise in respiratory diseases.

Antonio Guterres made a heartfelt plea for both sides involved in the conflict to declare an immediate ceasefire. He also urged Hamas to release hostages taken from Israel after the group entered the territory on October 7.

The current conflict has exacted a heavy toll, with over 1,400 Israeli civilians killed by Hamas and hundreds taken hostage. In return, Israel has relentlessly bombed the Gaza Strip, resulting in the tragic loss of approximately 9,200 lives, with a majority of the casualties being women and children. The UN Secretary General's call for an end to the hostilities and a focus on humanitarian relief highlights the urgency of addressing the dire situation in Gaza.

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