Speaking from the Rafah crossing, he pointed to the suffering of two million Gazans without sufficient supplies. Guterres emphasized the importance of getting trucks with water, food, and medicine moving into Gaza.

Guterres drew attention to the approximately two million Gazans who have been without adequate supplies for nearly two weeks, trapped amid a conflict. He highlighted the paradox of abundant humanitarian resources on one side of the border and dire needs on the other.

Guterres underscored the importance of getting aid convoys moving quickly across the border, describing them as a lifeline for countless Gazans.

The United Nations is actively engaging with the parties involved in cross-border aid deliveries.

The UN Chief reiterated the urgent necessity for resolving these issues promptly and appealed for a humanitarian ceasefire. He expressed his gratitude to Egypt and humanitarian partners for their efforts.

Key Negotiations Ongoing to Initiate Aid Delivery to Gaza

The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that deep and advanced negotiations are taking place with all relevant stakeholders to expedite the launch of an aid operation into Gaza under the right conditions. Encouraging reports suggest that an agreement on modalities is nearing, with the initial delivery expected to commence in the coming days.

Rafah, a crucial crossing point, is poised to become the lifeline for providing aid to Gaza. Aid trucks have been waiting at the Rafah border crossing since Saturday. While discussions continue about the scope of the initial operation, the priority is to get any aid trucks moving. Besides food, water, and medicine, Gaza is in desperate need of fuel due to an electricity blackout, making fuel a critical humanitarian commodity.

Mounting Humanitarian Toll in Gaza and West Bank

After 13 days of hostilities, OCHA has reported that in Gaza, the death toll has surged to 3,785, including 1,524 children, with over 12,000 injuries. Hundreds more are believed to be trapped under the rubble due to relentless bombardments.

In Israel, since October 7th, over 1,400 people have been killed, and more than 4,600 have been injured. There are currently at least 203 people held captive in Gaza, including Israelis and foreign nationals, according to Israeli estimates.

Guterres has consistently called on Hamas to release these hostages immediately and unconditionally, while the UN Human Rights Office has emphasized that taking hostages is prohibited by international law.

In the occupied West Bank, OCHA reported 79 Palestinians, including 20 children, killed by israeli forces and settlers since October 7th. An Israeli soldier was also killed by Palestinians during this period.

Additionally, more than 74 Palestinian households, comprising 545 individuals (over half of whom are children), have been displaced from 13 herding and Bedouin communities in Area C of the West Bank due to intensified settler violence and access restrictions.

The UN Human Rights Office expressed alarm at the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in the occupied West Bank, calling for an end to arbitrary arrests and unlawful use of lethal force.

It emphasized the importance of upholding international human rights law and international humanitarian law during hostilities. (ILKHA)