UN Chief calls for ceasefire in Gaza, citing dire humanitarian crisis

Guterres emphasized the critical need for a cease-fire to facilitate aid delivery, release hostages, and reduce tensions in the region.

Highlighting the challenging conditions for effective humanitarian aid operations in Gaza, Guterres stressed the importance of safety for aid workers, reliable road access, and unimpeded crossings at checkpoints. He outlined operational requirements, including telecommunications equipment, armored vehicles, protective gear, logistical capacity, and essential humanitarian items.

Guterres expressed concerns about the lack of crossing points into Gaza, leading to congestion and chokepoints. He called for expanded and sustained humanitarian access throughout Gaza, urging an end to all violations of international humanitarian law.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza was described as appalling, with 2.2 million Palestinians facing squalid conditions, struggling for shelter, heating, sanitation, food, and water. Guterres emphasized the urgent need for a cease-fire to address the catastrophic levels of food insecurity, disease spread, and the collapsing health system in Gaza. He reiterated the call for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to alleviate the suffering of the population. (ILKHA)