UN secretary-general calls for immediate halt to Israeli operation in West Bank

The U.N. secretary-general is calling for an immediate halt to Israel's large-scale military operation in the West Bank.

Antonio Guterres also called on Israel’s government to comply with its obligations under international law and take measures to protect civilians, according to a written statement from his spokesman Stephane Dujarric late Thursday.

The United Nations says Israel’s use of airstrikes and other military means in the Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas governorates of the West Bank resulted in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. Israel’s military says at least 10 Palestinian militants have been killed in the operation.

The statement also called for injured people to be granted access to medical care and for humanitarian workers to be able to distribute aid to those in need.

“These dangerous developments are fueling an already explosive situation in the occupied West Bank and further undermining the Palestinian Authority,” the statement said.