"Lethal Israeli attacks on an engineer and drivers transporting water have intensified the water crisis that is fuelling the spread of infectious diseases; Médecins Sans Frontières has called the weaponisation of water supplies a campaign of collective punishment. Never mind the estimated $70bn cost of reconstruction; homes are still being flattened. Families in tents face a rat infestation. Essential medicines are unavailable. Hospitals and schools lie in ruins." The Guardian view on ceasefires that aren’t: Israel never stopped killing in Gaza

‘Never mind the estimated $70bn cost of reconstruction; homes are still being flattened. Families in tents face a rat infestation. Essential medicines are unavailable.’ Photograph: AFP/Getty

"The meaning of the term “ceasefire” should be self‑evident. Yet Israel’s strikes have killed scores of people in Lebanon since it agreed a truce with Hezbollah under pressure from the US, with the two sides trading fire. There was a strike on Beirut on Wednesday. Benjamin Netanyahu’s government would be delighted to resume war with Iran. But it is wary of Donald Trump’s wrath as he seeks an exit from the conflict.

In Gaza, the Israeli military has killed more than 800 people since the truce there was declared in October, striking almost every day. This, too, is not a true ceasefire but a de-escalation, however necessary. Lethal Israeli attacks on an engineer and drivers transporting water have intensified the water crisis that is fuelling the spread of infectious diseases; Médecins Sans Frontières has called the weaponisation of water supplies a campaign of collective punishment. Never mind the estimated $70bn cost of reconstruction; homes are still being flattened. Families in tents face a rat infestation. Essential medicines are unavailable. Hospitals and schools lie in ruins. An analysis of the war’s impact on education described children feeling “like the living dead”.

Israel agreed to end attacks, massively increase the aid allowed into the territory and withdraw its forces to within a “yellow line” – still accounting for 53% of the territory. Yet strikes have continued, aid flows yo-yo and essential items are blocked on the claim that they are “dual use”. The military has expanded its zone of control substantially – and the..." READ MORE  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/07/the-guardian-view-on-ceasefires-that-arent-israel-never-stopped-killing-in-gaza-allies-must-reject-any-escalation

   [AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes or watch videos) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine] 

It’s time to invest in the architecture of peace, not the tools of war. That means living up to disarmament obligations. Rebuilding trust. And strengthening the systems and tools that prevent the proliferation, testing and use of deadly weapons. Together, we can prevent catastrophes and ensure a safe and peaceful world for all.

 António Guterres 

@antonioguterres

 

Feb 28, 2026 

 

I condemn the military escalation in the Middle East today. 

 

The strikes by the US & Israel against Iran & the subsequent attacks by Iran undermine international security. 

 

These actions carry the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control in the most volatile region of the world. 

 

Lasting peace can only be achieved through peaceful means, including genuine dialogue and negotiations. 

 

The United Nations @UN Charter provides the foundation for the maintenance of international peace & security.

https://x.com/antonioguterres/status/2027855751155212760/photo/1 

[AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies]

António Guterres

 

@antonioguterres

 

All the unlawful attacks in the Middle East and beyond are causing tremendous suffering and harm to civilians throughout the region – and pose a grave a risk to the global economy, particularly to the most vulnerable people. 

 

The situation could spiral beyond anyone’s control. It is time to stop the fighting and get to serious diplomatic negotiations. The stakes could not be higher. 

 

António Guterres

 

@antonioguterres

 

As global tensions are pushing military spending to stratospheric levels, I urge leaders to halt the arms races. 

 

We must invest in the architecture of peace, not the tools of war. Together, we can build a safe & peaceful world for all.

 

 https://disarmament.unoda.org/en/sgstatement 

 

5 March 2026

 

Secretary-General's Message for the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness

---

Statements | António Guterres, Secretary-General

---

Our dream of peace is in peril.

The threat of nuclear weapons use is the highest in decades. Global tensions are pushing military spending to stratospheric levels. Small arms and light weapons are proliferating. And emerging technologies are making conflicts even deadlier.

We must lower the temperature. On this International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, I urge leaders to step back from the brink. Stop rattling the nuclear saber. Halt the arms races.

It’s time to invest in the architecture of peace, not the tools of war. That means living up to disarmament obligations. Rebuilding trust. And strengthening the systems and tools that prevent the proliferation, testing and use of deadly weapons.

Together, we can prevent catastrophes and ensure a safe and peaceful world for all.

https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statements/2026-03-05/secretary-generals-message-for-the-international-day-for-disarmament-and-non-proliferation-awareness 

 

Assal Rad- Good reminder: The language of manufacturing consent:

 Assal Rad

@AssalRad

 

Good reminder.

https://x.com/AssalRad/status/2030133479716077899/photo/1 

[AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies] 

"Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of immense proportions, I make a heartfelt appeal to all the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility of halting the spiral of violence before it becomes an unbridgeable chasm. May diplomacy regain its proper role, and may the well-being of peoples, who yearn for peaceful existence founded on justice, be upheld." Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV

@Pontifex

 

I am following with deep concern what is happening in the Middle East and in Iran during this tumultuous time. Stability and peace are not achieved through mutual threats, nor through the use of weapons, which sow destruction, suffering, and death, but only through reasonable, sincere, and responsible dialogue.

 

Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of immense proportions, I make a heartfelt appeal to all the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility of halting the spiral of violence before it becomes an unbridgeable chasm. May diplomacy regain its proper role, and may the well-being of peoples, who yearn for peaceful existence founded on justice, be upheld. And let us continue to pray for peace.

 

https://x.com/Pontifex/status/2028086271021613489  

 

On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV called on the nations involved in the intensifying Middle East conflict to acknowledge their moral duty to seek peace after reported airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies] 

 

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-03/pope-leo-xiv-angelus-appeal-peace-middle-east-iran.html 

Pope on Iran: Peace not built with mutual threats or death-dealing arms

Pope Leo XIV appeals for nations to recall their moral responsibility to seek peace, as violence escalates in the Middle East after the US and Israel carry out airstrikes on Iran.

 

By Devin Watkins

Speaking at the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV expressed “deep concern” over recent events in the Middle East and Iran.

“Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,” he said.

The Pope warned of an immense tragedy if violence escalates out of control.

“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions,” he said, “I address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss!”

Pope Leo prayed that nations may return to dialogue in order to seek peace.

“May diplomacy recover its role and may the good of peoples be promoted, peoples who long for peaceful coexistence founded on justice,” he said. “And let us continue to pray for peace.”

On Saturday, Israel and the United States began carrying out joint airstrikes on Tehran and several other Iranian cities.

Iran then responded with attacks on Israel and several Gulf countries which host American military bases.

Later, state-run news agencies announced the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran for nearly 37 years.

Just a few hours ago, a series of attacks took place in Duma. Armed terrorists, fully backed by the state and the IDF, attacked Palestinians and activists, injuring some of them. Arrests? Yes, six people were detained: four Palestinians, including a child, and two activists.

Israeli live fire at Palestinian children who were picking akoub in Palestine.

 Breaking the Silence

@BtSIsrael

 

Yesterday morning, we woke up to rocket alerts. Israel began bombing Iran. As often happens when the media attention shifts, Israel seized the moment to intensify its attacks against Palestinians. Here’s what happened while the world was looking the other way

 

In Gaza, even under the “ceasefire”, the IDF continues to carry out attacks in Gaza almost daily, including today in Jabalia and Beit Lahiya. And since yesterday, Israel stopped humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. The IDF added that “the existing stock is expected to suffice”.

 

The Israeli government and the media present the attacks on Iran, among other things, as a moral mission to help Iranians resist a repressive and violent regime. Don’t tell them that Israel itself sustains a violent and repressive regime that isn’t thousands of kilometres away.

 

When the protests in Iran were at their peak, there was probably no country that watched them more closely than Israel. Our press covered them extensively, many Israelis expressed sympathy for the brave Iranian people, and politicians voiced their support for the protesters.

 

Israelis, to the best of their knowledge, live in a democracy where everyone has the right to protest without being shot or arrested. However, it is a daily reality for millions of Palestinians in the West Bank, where freedom is denied under military law.  

 

Everyone deserves freedom and safety. It is a moral imperative we uphold here, between the river and the sea, and it is just as relevant in Iran. No one deserves to live under a dictatorship, or under bombs, or under terror. Don’t look away, that’s exactly what they want.

 

https://x.com/BtSIsrael/status/2028131266801938891

 

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies] 

"Everything must be done to prevent a further escalation in the Middle East. I call on all sides to strictly uphold their obligations under international law, including the United Nations Charter, protect civilians & ensure nuclear safety. Let’s act responsibly & together to pull the region & our world back from the brink." António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations

.

 António Guterres

@antonioguterres

 

I condemn the military escalation in the Middle East today. 

 

The strikes by the US & Israel against Iran & the subsequent attacks by Iran undermine international security. 

 

These actions carry the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control in the most volatile region of the world. 

 

Lasting peace can only be achieved through peaceful means, including genuine dialogue and negotiations. 

 

The United Nations Charter provides the foundation for the maintenance of international peace & security.

 

António Guterres

 

@antonioguterres

Everything must be done to prevent a further escalation in the Middle East. 

 

I call on all sides to strictly uphold their obligations under international law, including the @United Nations Charter, protect civilians & ensure nuclear safety. 

 

 Let’s act responsibly & together to pull the region & our world back from the brink.

 

https://x.com/antonioguterres/status/2027879948778938479

 

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies]