UN Secretary-General António Guterres Urges Cease-Fire in Gaza Conflict
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas at the Rafah Crossing in Egypt. Guterres emphasized the urgent need to provide lifesaving aid to Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict.
More than half of Gaza’s population has sought refuge in Rafah amid warnings of a potential catastrophe. However, the UN Security Council failed to reach a consensus on a resolution supporting an immediate cease-fire.
Guterres criticized the difficulties of getting aid into Gaza, mostly blaming Israel for the challenges. Approximately 7,000 aid trucks are waiting in Egypt to enter Gaza, highlighting the desperate need for humanitarian assistance.
The Secretary-General stressed the importance of Israel committing to total access for humanitarian goods and the release of hostages in Gaza. Hamas is believed to be holding around 100 hostages and the remains of 30 others from a previous attack.
Amidst these tensions, the US Secretary of State urged Israel not to launch a ground assault on Rafah and expressed concerns about the worsening conditions for hostages in Gaza. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to proceed with a military-approved offensive to destroy Hamas, despite international concerns.
The Israeli military’s actions have resulted in thousands of deaths in Gaza and displaced millions, leading to ongoing protests against Netanyahu’s government. The fighting has intensified around Gaza’s largest hospital, with reports of civilian casualties and worsening humanitarian conditions.
Hunger and the lack of aid delivery are also contributing to the crisis in Gaza, with accusations between the UN and Israel over aid distribution. UNRWA, the agency for Palestinian refugees, highlighted the challenges of delivering aid to northern Gaza due to restrictions imposed by Israel. The situation remains dire as the conflict shows no signs of easing.
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