Civilians must be protected during today's crucial UN Security Council discussion on the Israel-Palestine War

 Civilians must be protected during today's crucial UN Security Council discussion on the Israel-Palestine War

Following the bloodiest attack on Israel by a Palestinian Islamist group, Hamas, which left over 250 people dead and numerous others injured, diplomats announced on Saturday that the UN Security Council would meet on Sunday. 

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric made the following official statement: "UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the terrorist attack by Hamas and urged all diplomatic efforts to be made to avoid a wider conflagration."

"The Secretary-General recommends the greatest amount of caution because he is gravely concerned about the civilian population. According to international humanitarian law, civilians must always be respected and safeguarded, according to Dujarric, as reported by Reuters. 

A "state of war" has been proclaimed by Israel after Palestinian terrorists launched more than 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel, killing at least 250 people and injuring many more. Invading Israel in SUVs, motorcycles, and paragliders, hundreds of Hamas militants started shooting at residents.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the military would use all available force to undermine Hamas' capabilities after the rocket attack. But he issued a warning: "This battle will drag on. It will be challenging.

Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, warned that the attack, which had started in Gaza, a small territory inhabited by 2.3 million Palestinians, will expand to the West Bank and Jerusalem. Israel has been enforcing a blockade on Gaza for 16 years.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement on Saturday night announcing that Israel would suspend delivering gasoline, products, and electricity to Gaza.

According to FlightAware, by Saturday evening, airlines had canceled more than 80 flights to and from Tel Aviv, or around 14% of all booked flights, as a result of the unprecedented strike in Israel by the militant group Hamas.

With an announcement on US military aid expected soon, US President Joe Biden pledged "rock solid" support for Israel and denounced terrorist acts by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.