U.N. Secretary General António Guterres reiterated his call on Saturday for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. During a visit to a border crossing in Egypt, he condemned the “nonstop nightmare” faced by Palestinians in the territory.
“I want Palestinians in Gaza to know: You are not alone,” Mr. Guterres expressed. “People around the world are outraged about the horrors we are all witnessing in real time. I carry the voices of the vast majority of the world: We have seen enough. We have heard enough.”
Mr. Guterres addressed reporters from the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, one of the main ground corridors used for transporting humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Despite a significant international relief effort, Palestinians in Gaza are experiencing widespread hunger and deprivation more than five months into Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
Aid organizations have faced challenges in transporting and distributing enough food and supplies in Gaza due to a blockade enforced by Egypt and Israel. The obstacles include security inspections, attacks on aid convoys, damaged roads, and other factors.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification recently projected that famine was “imminent” for the 300,000 Palestinian civilians in northern Gaza. Aid groups and U.N. officials have urged Israel to ease entry restrictions for aid trucks and expedite the delivery of goods within Gaza.
Mr. Guterres described the situation at the border as a “moral outrage” with blocked relief trucks and the shadow of starvation apparent. Israel’s foreign affairs minister, Israel Katz, criticized Mr. Guterres for not acknowledging Hamas and the United Nations’ roles in the crisis.
Mr. Guterres’ visit to the border followed a failed U.N. Security Council resolution for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. The resolution, backed by the U.S., was vetoed by Russia, China, and Algeria at a council meeting in New York.
Efforts for a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, have been ongoing. The conflict, which began with a surprise attack by Hamas in October, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
Israeli leaders are considering a ground operation in Rafah, which has raised concerns internationally. Mr. Guterres and other U.N. officials have warned of dire consequences if an assault on Rafah proceeds.
