UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Urges New Ceasefire in Israel-Gaza Conflict
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has reiterated his plea for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the urgency to halt the violence. Speaking from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing with Gaza, he urged Israel to grant unhindered access for humanitarian aid throughout the region. Guterres’ call comes in the wake of a UN-backed assessment highlighting the dire food insecurity crisis in Gaza, with 1.1 million people facing severe hunger and starvation. The assessment also warned of an impending famine in the north of Gaza between now and May.
Addressing the pressing humanitarian situation, Guterres condemned the blockage of a US-drafted UN resolution for a ceasefire tied to the release of hostages held in Gaza, which was vetoed by Russia and China. He underscored the critical need to escalate life-saving aid to Gaza, denouncing the obstruction of relief trucks at the Egyptian border as morally unacceptable. Furthermore, Guterres urged for the release of Israeli hostages and expressed solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, assuring them of global support amid their ongoing ordeal.
In response to Guterres’ plea, Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz rebuked the UN chief on social media, accusing him of unfairly attributing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza solely to Israel while neglecting to condemn Hamas militants for hindering aid distribution. The Rafah crossing, a crucial entry point for aid into Gaza, currently witnesses long queues of aid trucks awaiting Israeli approval for passage. Israel has faced criticism from Western nations and aid organizations for its inspection procedures, which are blamed for delaying much-needed assistance.
Guterres, in his dialogue with BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega, reiterated his call for Israel to remove barriers to aid delivery, asserting that such obstacles contribute to the suffering in Gaza. Meanwhile, Guterres visited el-Arish, the Egyptian city closest to Gaza, where he met with UN humanitarian aid workers and visited a hospital treating injured Palestinians. His visit coincides with Israel’s plans for a ground operation in Rafah, a city where a significant portion of Gaza’s population seeks refuge and where Hamas leadership is believed to be present.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains resolute in his stance, vowing to proceed with the planned offensive despite international pressure. As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies, Guterres’ efforts to rally support for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid underscore the critical need for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.
Comment Template