By UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an urgent humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza to protect civilians and ensure essential aid reaches the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres stressed the need for a ceasefire. He emphasized that all parties involved must adhere to international humanitarian laws immediately. He warned that if the conflict in Gaza continues, it could spread to neighboring regions, leading to more extensive unrest.
Guterres expressed grave concern, describing Gaza as a “graveyard for children.” He highlighted that more than 4,100 individuals, including hundreds of children, have lost their lives since the conflict began. He also noted the alarming number of journalists and UN aid workers who have been killed in this period.
The secretary-general stressed the urgency of a humanitarian ceasefire, emphasizing the responsibility of all parties involved, including the international community, to halt the suffering and increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Guterres criticized Israeli airstrikes targeting hospitals, refugee camps, places of worship, and UN facilities, emphasizing that “no one is safe.” He also called out the Palestinian armed group, Hamas, for using civilians as “shields” and launching rockets indiscriminately toward Israel. He urged for the release of captives still held in Gaza.
Guterres acknowledged the international outcry over Hamas’s assault on southern Israel, which resulted in significant civilian casualties. However, he also raised concerns about Israel’s relentless airstrikes on the densely populated Gaza Strip, which have drawn criticism.
Israel’s blockade of Gaza, cutting off access to necessities such as fuel, food, and electricity, has worsened the humanitarian crisis. More than 1.5 million people have been displaced with limited options for seeking refuge.
Guterres pointed out that clear violations of international law are occurring in the conflict, and the situation has escalated to a crisis of humanity.
He also stressed the need to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, as the current levels of assistance are insufficient to meet the growing demand. The Rafah crossing with Egypt alone cannot bridge this gap.
An emergency meeting was convened by China and the United Arab Emirates to address the deteriorating situation in Gaza, specifically regarding Israeli attacks on the Al Shifa hospital and the Jabaliya refugee camp.
Russia supported the call for immediate consultations, and China’s UN Ambassador, Zhang Jun, described the situation as “dangerously catastrophic.” He expressed hope for the Security Council to adopt a more urgent approach to call for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians.
Despite the challenges of reaching a consensus in the Security Council, due to the reluctance of veto-wielding permanent members, the United States and Britain, Guterres emphasized the need to address the crisis as a matter of urgency.
Martin Griffiths, the UN relief chief, echoed the call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all prisoners.
Secretary-General Guterres has sounded a strong call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to protect civilians and ensure vital humanitarian aid reaches the region.
He emphasizes the responsibility of all parties and the international community to end the suffering and increase assistance to Gaza, while also addressing the violations of international law and the broader crisis of humanity.
