In an urgent call for humanitarian relief, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the international community at a press conference, urging immediate and unimpeded aid access to the Gaza Strip. Amid a month-long blockade enforced since March 2, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly, leaving civilians without essential food, fuel, and medicine.
Guterres lamented, "More than an entire month has passed without a drop of aid into Gaza. No food. No fuel. No medicine. No commercial supplies. As aid has dried up, the floodgates of horror have re-opened." He emphasized that vital humanitarian supplies are stuck at closed crossing points while desperate needs continue to mount.
The UN chief warned that Gaza has become a "killing field," trapping civilians in an endless cycle of suffering. He stressed that, as the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law to ensure the delivery of basic necessities and to safeguard public health in the region. However, the current reality on the ground starkly contradicts these commitments.
Furthermore, Guterres called for the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages and an independent investigation into the killing of humanitarian personnel, including UN staff. He urged a permanent ceasefire to break the deadlock and restore hope for those affected by the crisis.
This impassioned plea reflects mounting global concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as international leaders and humanitarian agencies rally behind efforts to end the suffering and protect innocent lives.
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UN chief urges unimpeded aid access to Gaza as crisis worsens
cgtn.com
