United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, condemning the continued loss of civilian lives. He reiterated his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, along with the “unconditional and immediate” release of all hostages.
In a statement released on Thursday by his spokesperson, UN Secretary-General has condemned the recent series of attacks that struck areas sheltering displaced civilians and locations where people were seeking food, resulting in numerous Palestinian casualties and injuries.
UN Calls For Full, Safe, And Sustained Humanitarian Access
The statement read as: “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the loss of civilian life. In just one day this week, orders to relocate forced nearly 30,000 people to flee, yet again, with no safe place to go and clearly inadequate supplies of shelter, food, medicine or water. International humanitarian law is unambiguous: civilians must be respected and protected, and the needs of the population must be met.”
Guterres has called for a “full, safe and sustained humanitarian access” in the region so that aid can reach people who have been deprived of the basic needs for too long. He has urged that all parties must comply with their obligations under international law. In view of the worsening condition of human life in Gaza, Guterres has called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
“The Secretary-General reiterates that all parties must uphold their obligations under international law. He renews his call for an immediate permanent ceasefire and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” the statement added.
Guterres further voiced concern that the last lifelines for survival are being cut off in Gaza, noting that no fuel has entered the region in over 17 weeks. He warned that Gaza will suffer more human losses if the fuel is not allowed to enter Gaza immediately.
He stressed that without an immediate supply of fuel, incubators will shut down, ambulances will be unable to reach the injured and sick, and water purification systems will cease to function.
The statement noted, “The delivery by the United Nations and partners of what little of our life-saving humanitarian aid is left in Gaza will also grind to a halt.”
Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalise a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump warned Hamas against rejecting the ceasefire deal, stating that “it will not only get worse.”
“My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,” Trump stated.
“The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” his statement added.
Notably, according to a report by Times of Israel, Hamas is still holding 50 hostages, including 49 of the 251 abducted on October 7, and the body of a soldier killed in 2014.
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