Israel-Hamas conflict: UN Security Council holds emergency meeting

SGGP 10/09/2023 08:01

On October 8, the Washington Post reported that Israel officially announced that it was in a state of war and declared that it would carry out many military operations in the Gaza Strip in the coming days.

Many airlines cancel flights to Tel Aviv

In a sign that the conflict could spread beyond the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon exchanged artillery and rocket fire with Israel, Reuters reported. In the Egyptian city of Alexandria, two Israeli tourists and an Egyptian tour guide were shot dead. On the second day of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the death toll in Israel rose to more than 600, with at least 2,048 injured. 100 Israelis were captured by Hamas.

Reuters news agency reported that the United Nations Security Council will convene an emergency meeting on the situation in Israel on October 8 (US time) after the Hamas movement launched an attack on the Jewish state. The announcement by UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for all diplomatic efforts to avoid the conflict from spreading.

In Israel, the leader of the Israeli opposition, Chairman of the Yesh Atid Party, Mr. Yair Lapid, called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form an emergency government to lead the country through difficult times. Shortly after, Israeli media reported that Mr. Netanyahu invited Mr. Yair Lapid and Mr. Benny Gantz, leader of the National Coalition Party, former Defense Minister, to join a broad government.

During the 1967 Six-Day War, opposition leader Menachem Begin was also invited to join Prime Minister Levi Eshkol's government to lead the country through the war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's expanded government was similar to the model of the late Prime Minister Eshkol.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf Cooperation Council, etc. have called for an immediate end to the escalation of the conflict. Meanwhile, Türkiye affirmed its readiness to help ease tensions in the Gaza Strip. The Russian Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Foreign Ministry called for promoting the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state; at the same time, they urged the international community to resume peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel as soon as possible to achieve a lasting peace.

Many major airlines such as American Airlines (USA), Air France (France), Lufthansa (Germany)... have had to cancel dozens of flights to the capital Tel Aviv.

Vietnam calls on all parties to exercise restraint.

On October 8, in response to a reporter's question about Vietnam's reaction to the escalating conflict between Hamas and Israel, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated: Vietnam is closely following and is deeply concerned about the escalating violence between Hamas and Israel, causing many civilian casualties.

“We call on relevant parties to exercise restraint, not take actions that complicate the situation, and soon resume negotiations to resolve disagreements through peaceful means, on the basis of international law and relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, ensuring the safety and legitimate interests of civilians,” said the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that as of October 8, Vietnamese citizens, including the Vietnamese community in Israel, officials on business trips and Vietnamese tourists, were still safe. In the face of the complicated conflict situation with hundreds of deaths, the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has posted notices and issued security warnings and instructions to citizens along with emergency contact information, coordinating with local authorities and diplomatic missions in the same area to coordinate citizen protection.

Previously, on October 7, according to information from the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel, the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian territories in recent days has become complicated; violence has caused hundreds of casualties. The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has proactively deployed many measures to protect citizens.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that Vietnamese citizens temporarily avoid areas where conflicts occur. Vietnamese citizens in the area should closely monitor the situation; proactively take necessary security and safety measures; strictly comply with local government regulations, avoid large gatherings and limit travel; and immediately contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel if assistance is needed.

Vietnamese citizens in need of assistance can contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel at +972-50-818-6116 and +972-52- 727-4248 ; +972-50-994-0889 or the Citizen Protection Hotline of the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs at +84 981 84 84 84 .

PHAN THAO

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/xung-dot-israel-hamas-hoi-dong-bao-an-lien-hop-quoc-hop-khan-post709004.html