Earthquake interrupts UN briefing on Gaza conflict

New York: An unexpected 4.8 magnitude earthquake originating in the US state of New Jersey caused a brief interruption during a UN Security Council meeting held in neighboring New York City on Friday.

During the meeting, Janti Soeripto, President and CEO of the "Save the Children" organization, was delivering a briefing on the dire situation in war-torn Gaza when the tremors were felt inside the United Nations building. A video posted by the UN captured the moment, showing Soeripto pausing as the room felt the ground shaking, prompting a humorous remark from a colleague: "You're making the ground shake!"

Following a brief pause, Soeripto continued her briefing once the tremors had subsided.

The earthquake, with its epicenter in New Jersey, rattled New York City, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. Social media users reported feeling the tremors from Philadelphia up to New York and eastward along Long Island.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed the earthquake, stating that it was felt throughout New York, particularly west of Manhattan. She assured the public that her team was assessing any potential impacts or damage caused by the quake.

Earlier in the day, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for a significant increase in aid to Gaza, stating that "scattered measures" are insufficient. This statement came after Israel informed the UN of its intention to allow a meaningful increase in aid to the region.

Guterres stressed the importance of a paradigm shift in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting the ongoing intensified conflict. The current conflict erupted when Hamas launched attacks on Israel, resulting in casualties among both Israelis and Palestinians. Since then, Israel's retaliatory actions have led to a significant loss of life in Gaza, further exacerbating the humanitarian situation in the region.