America News Agency

UN Secretary-General Guterres emphasized that Palestinians in Gaza are experiencing the most brutal phase of this conflict.

Recalling that Israel blocked the entry of life-saving international aid for nearly 80 days, Guterres said: “According to the world’s leading hunger assessments, the entire population of Gaza is at risk of famine. Families are being starved and deprived of even the most basic needs. The entire world is watching. Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law. It must treat civilians humanely and respect their inherent dignity. As the occupying power, it must allow and facilitate the delivery of necessary aid.”

Guterres warned that if the direct distribution of food parcels and wheat flour to those in need continues to be obstructed, the lives of UN workers will also be at risk.

“Without this, due to the absence of the rule of law, the months-long blockade, the desperate population, and insufficient supplies, the risk of security incidents and looting remains high. Today, 80% of Gaza is either declared a militarized zone by Israel or an area from which people have been ordered to evacuate. In other words, four-fifths of Gaza has become a prohibited area for its people. Therefore, it is important to focus on the bigger picture beyond how many trucks are present at any given moment. And the bigger picture is that without fast, reliable, safe, and sustainable humanitarian access, more people will die, and the long-term consequences for the entire population will be severe.”

Guterres stated that the UN will not be part of any arrangement that does not respect international law and humanitarian principles such as humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality.