United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stood firm in his condemnation of Israel's use of excessive force during its deadly military attack on the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, said Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman of the UN Chief. Euronews TV quoted Haq as saying Guterres stood by a statement he made on Thursday on Israel's army raid in Jenin and the nearby Jenin refugee camp, noting that Guterres stated "angrily" that the assault injured more than 100 people, displaced thousands, damaged schools and hospitals and disrupted water and electricity networks. The UN chief reminded Israel that "as the occupying power, it has a responsibility to ensure that the civilian population is protected against all acts of violence". "Israel's air strikes and ground operations in a crowded refugee camp were the worst violence in the West Bank in many years, with a significant impact on civilians," Guterres said. He also criticized Israeli forces for preventing the wounded from receiving medical care and for preventing humanitarian workers from reaching all those in need. Guterres strongly condemned "all acts of violence against civilians," and said: "The Israeli bombing and operations on the ground in a crowded (Jenin) refugee camp were the worst violence in the West Bank in years." At least 12 Palestinians were killed in the raid in which about 1,000 Israeli soldiers took part.

Source: Jordan News Agency