Head of the United Nations condemn the murder of 12 civilians, mostly children and teenagers, in the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to all those injured.
“People, especially children, should not continue to bear the brunt of the terrible violence raging in the region,” according to a note issued by Mr. Guterres’ spokesperson on Sunday.
The statement also said the Secretary-General called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and reiterated his consistent call to all parties concerned to avoid any further escalation.
“The battles of fire all over Blue line must cease immediately. All parties must comply with their obligations under international law,” the note said, adding that parties must urgently recommit to fully implementing UN resolutions. Security Council Resolution 1701 and immediate return to ceasefire.
[Adopted by the Security Council in 2006, resolution 1701 aimed at ending the war that year between Israel and Hezbollah. It calls for an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, and the establishment of demilitarized zone.]
Also reacting to the “heinous missile attack”, the UN’s top Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland warned on Saturday on X that This area is on the brink; “The world and the region cannot afford another open conflict. I call on everyone to exercise maximum restraint. The missile launches across the Blue Line must stop immediately.”
IN a joint statement announced on Saturday, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (United Nations), also condemned the attack.
“We regret the deaths of civilians – children and young people – in Majdal Shams. Civilians must be protected at all times,” said envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro.
The two officials called on all sides to exercise maximum restraint and end the ongoing intense gun battles, fearing “this could trigger a larger conflagration, engulfing the entire region in an unbelievable disaster”.
