UN head calls for unrestricted aid entry to Gaza amid escalating crisis
On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for urgent and unrestricted access to aid for the Gaza Strip, highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis and the increasing suffering of civilians due to Israel's month-long blockade.
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On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for immediate and unobstructed access to aid for the Gaza Strip, as Israel's month-long blockade exacerbates the humanitarian crisis and intensifies the suffering of civilians in the region.
"More than an entire month has passed without a drop of aid into Gaza. No food. No fuel. No medicine. No commercial supplies," Guterres stated during a press conference. "As aid has dried up, the floodgates of horror have re-opened."
He highlighted that "No humanitarian supplies can enter Gaza. Meanwhile, at the crossing points, food, medicine, and shelter supplies are piling up, and vital equipment is stuck."
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, all crossings have been closed for aid and commercial goods into Gaza under Israeli orders since March 2, marking the longest such lockdown since October 2023.
Citing a joint statement released on Monday by the heads of UN humanitarian agencies, Guterres rejected claims "that there is now enough food to feed all Palestinians in Gaza," asserting that those claims are "far from the reality on the ground, and commodities are running extremely low."
"Gaza is a killing field, and civilians are in an endless death loop," he remarked.
Guterres emphasized that as the occupying power, Israel has clear obligations under international law to provide food and medical supplies to the population and to maintain public health services in the occupied territory. However, he noted, "none of that is happening."
He called for unhindered humanitarian access and the protection of humanitarian personnel in accordance with international law, as well as an independent investigation into the killings of humanitarians, including UN staff.
The Secretary-General reiterated his demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and a permanent ceasefire.
"The current path is a dead end, totally intolerable in the eyes of international law and history," Guterres asserted. "It is time to end the dehumanization, protect civilians, release the hostages, ensure lifesaving aid, and renew the ceasefire."
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
"More than an entire month has passed without a drop of aid into Gaza. No food. No fuel. No medicine. No commercial supplies," Guterres stated during a press conference. "As aid has dried up, the floodgates of horror have re-opened."
He highlighted that "No humanitarian supplies can enter Gaza. Meanwhile, at the crossing points, food, medicine, and shelter supplies are piling up, and vital equipment is stuck."
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, all crossings have been closed for aid and commercial goods into Gaza under Israeli orders since March 2, marking the longest such lockdown since October 2023.
Citing a joint statement released on Monday by the heads of UN humanitarian agencies, Guterres rejected claims "that there is now enough food to feed all Palestinians in Gaza," asserting that those claims are "far from the reality on the ground, and commodities are running extremely low."
"Gaza is a killing field, and civilians are in an endless death loop," he remarked.
Guterres emphasized that as the occupying power, Israel has clear obligations under international law to provide food and medical supplies to the population and to maintain public health services in the occupied territory. However, he noted, "none of that is happening."
He called for unhindered humanitarian access and the protection of humanitarian personnel in accordance with international law, as well as an independent investigation into the killings of humanitarians, including UN staff.
The Secretary-General reiterated his demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and a permanent ceasefire.
"The current path is a dead end, totally intolerable in the eyes of international law and history," Guterres asserted. "It is time to end the dehumanization, protect civilians, release the hostages, ensure lifesaving aid, and renew the ceasefire."
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
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