UN Secretary General António Guterres condemned Israel's blockade on aid to Gaza, labeling it a violation of international law that has worsened the humanitarian crisis.
Guterres Critiques Israel's Aid Blockade in Gaza Amid Rising Tensions
Guterres Critiques Israel's Aid Blockade in Gaza Amid Rising Tensions
United Nations Secretary General calls Israel's actions a breach of international law, highlighting dire humanitarian conditions.
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, expressed profound concern over the severe humanitarian plight in Gaza during a press briefing at the United Nations headquarters. He described the ongoing conflict and subsequent blockade as “an endless death loop” for civilians. Guterres emphasized that more than a month has passed without any aid reaching the region, stating, “No food. No fuel. No medicine. No commercial supplies. As aid has dried up, the floodgates of horror have reopened.”
His remarks represent a stark escalation in rhetoric concerning Israel's military actions since the onset of its conflict with Hamas. This assessment reflects a growing frustration among senior UN officials regarding the inability of the international community, including traditionally supportive countries like the United States, to properly address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
In response, the Israeli government dismissed Guterres's claims, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein asserting that “over 25,000 aid trucks have entered the Gaza Strip” during the previous ceasefire. He accused the UN Secretary General of ignoring the role of Hamas in misappropriating aid to fund its military initiatives.
According to Guterres, as Israel continues to control Gaza, it bears legal obligations under the Geneva Conventions to ensure the delivery of essential supplies and the maintenance of local health services. Despite repeated warnings from international bodies, the path to alleviating the humanitarian crisis remains uncertain as tensions escalate further in the region.
His remarks represent a stark escalation in rhetoric concerning Israel's military actions since the onset of its conflict with Hamas. This assessment reflects a growing frustration among senior UN officials regarding the inability of the international community, including traditionally supportive countries like the United States, to properly address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
In response, the Israeli government dismissed Guterres's claims, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein asserting that “over 25,000 aid trucks have entered the Gaza Strip” during the previous ceasefire. He accused the UN Secretary General of ignoring the role of Hamas in misappropriating aid to fund its military initiatives.
According to Guterres, as Israel continues to control Gaza, it bears legal obligations under the Geneva Conventions to ensure the delivery of essential supplies and the maintenance of local health services. Despite repeated warnings from international bodies, the path to alleviating the humanitarian crisis remains uncertain as tensions escalate further in the region.
