Israel is asked not to forget about civilian lives and not to violate international humanitarian law.

All thoseresponsible for the events in the Middle East must step back from the brink.

This wasstated by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on 29 October, analysing theconflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip, CNN reported.

He alsonoted that he would continue to insist on the immediate and unconditionalrelease of all hostages in Gaza and reiterated his call for an immediatehumanitarian ceasefire.

"Ireiterate my strong condemnation of the horrific attacks perpetrated by Hamas.There is no justification for the killing, wounding and abduction ofcivilians," Guterres said.

The UNSecretary-General said that the situation in Gaza "is becoming moredesperate by the hour" and called on all parties to abide by theirobligations under international humanitarian law.

"Iregret that instead of a critically needed humanitarian pause, supported by theinternational community, Israel has stepped up its military operations,"Antonio Guterres concluded.

Israel is asked not to forget about civilianlives

NorwegianPrime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre condemned the rocket attacks by Hamasterrorists and noted that Israelis have the right to defend themselves, butalso criticised Tel Aviv for violating the principles of humanitarian law.

"Internationallaw also states that it (defence — Ed.) must be proportionate, civilians mustbe taken into account, humanitarian law is very clear about this, and I believethat this line has now been far crossed. I'm referring to Israeli air attackson civilian areas where people have nowhere to hide," Gar Støre said in aninterview with state broadcaster NRK.

On Sunday,30 October, US President Joe Biden discussed with Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi the need for anuninterrupted flow of aid to Gaza and stressed the importance of protectingcivilian lives, the WhiteHouse reports.

In aconversation with Netanyahu, Biden reaffirmed his support for Israel in itsefforts to defend itself, but clarified that the country must do so "in amanner consistent with international humanitarian law, which prioritises theprotection of civilians".

The USPresident also called for a significant increase in the flow of humanitarianaid to Gaza and discussed efforts to find and release Hamas hostages.

Israel's ground operation in the Gaza Strip

In theevening of 27 October, Israeli troopsshelled the Gaza Strip with artillery and rockets from aircraft, and thenlaunched a ground operation in the region.

October 28Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcesthe start of his country's "second war of independence" againstHamas and adds that it will be a long war.

On 31October, Netanyahuofficially announced the start of the third phase of the military operationagainst Palestinian radicals. It involves an expansion of the ground offensivein the Gaza Strip.

The head ofthe Israeli government also stressed that Tel Aviv would "under nocircumstances give up on the destruction of Hamas" and plans to completelyeliminate the terrorist group's operational and governmental capabilities andreturn hostages.

Meanwhile,White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on 29 October that Washingtonwas holding "frank, direct" talks with Israel because of theglobal outrage over Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip. "We do not approveof the killing of innocent people, whether they are Palestinians, Israelis orothers," he said.

Inaddition, Sullivan noted, negotiations onthe release of hostages are ongoing. In particular, the United States is workingto free several hundred American citizens who want to leave the Gaza Strip.