Special Correspondent
UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep alarm over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, condemning recent attacks that have killed and injured scores of Palestinians, including people sheltering at displacement sites and those seeking food.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General strongly denounced the loss of civilian life and underscored the need to uphold international humanitarian law, which requires the protection of civilians and meeting their basic needs.
The crisis has deepened as large-scale forced displacements continue. According to the UN, nearly 30,000 people were ordered to relocate in a single day this week, despite the lack of safe destinations or adequate supplies of shelter, food, medicine, and water.
Guterres also warned that fuel supplies to Gaza have been completely cut off for over 17 weeks, threatening to collapse what remains of essential services. Without urgent fuel deliveries, he cautioned, hospital incubators will stop functioning, ambulances will cease operations, and water purification systems will fail. Humanitarian aid deliveries by the UN and its partners are also at risk of grinding to a halt.
Calling for “full, safe and sustained” humanitarian access, the Secretary-General said the UN has a clear plan to deliver lifesaving aid at scale wherever it is needed. He urged all parties to respect their obligations under international law.
He renewed his appeal for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, as well as the unconditional release of all hostages.
