UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is heartbroken by the increasing collapse of humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where the final lifelines sustaining life are falling apart.
Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, Stephane Dujarric gave the update a day after dozens of Palestinians were killed while trying to get food aid.
He expressed deep sorrow over growing reports of both children and adults suffering from malnutrition and firmly condemned the ongoing violence, including the shooting, killing, and wounding of people searching for food.
“Civilians must always be protected and respected, they should never become targets,” said Mr. Dujarric, stressing that people in Gaza are critically under supplied with basic life necessities.
He further emphasized that “Israel has the obligation to allow and facilitate by all means at its disposal the humanitarian relief provided by the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations.” Mr. Dujarric explained that the Secretary General is deeply concerned that the latest rise in violence is making it harder for humanitarian systems in Gaza to function, while also threatening their safety.
He mentioned a new evacuation order issued for parts of Deir Al-Balah, which is worsening people’s suffering, forcing more displacement, and making it harder for the UN to get aid through.
He also shared that two UN guesthouses in Deir Al-Balah were struck, even though the parties involved had already been informed of their locations. “They were damaged,” he said, when responding to a reporter’s question. “The UN staff inside were, to say the least, rattled.” Mr. Dujarric assured that the UN is committed to staying in Deir Al-Balah.
The Secretary General renewed his urgent plea for the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers, and for the supply of essential resources to keep them alive. He again demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
Mr. Dujarric affirmed that the UN is prepared to dramatically increase its humanitarian efforts in Gaza, stressing “the time for a ceasefire is now.” While the bombing continues, humanitarian teams keep receiving reports of people arriving at hospitals and medical stations in a severely malnourished state, many near death.
More than twelve people, including children have reportedly died of hunger in the last 24 hours, according to Gaza’s health agencies. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that nearly 88 percent of Gaza is now covered by displacement orders or sits within displacement zones.
Gaza’s population stands at around 2.1 million, and approximately 1.35 million urgently need shelter and basic household items. But no shelter supplies have been permitted entry in more than four months. The worsening fuel shortage remains critical, and aid agencies continue warning that the limited fuel allowed in recently is far from enough.
During a meeting with the Prime Minister of the State of Palestine, Mohammad Mustafa, in Ramallah, the new UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ramiz Alakbarov, spoke to the press.
At the conference, Dr. Alakbarov called for a lasting ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and full access to reach civilians in Gaza. He emphasized that humanitarian organizations must be allowed to use traditional aid delivery systems to meet urgent needs.
He made clear that those systems are being severely disrupted by violence, including armed looting and the frequent shooting of civilians seeking aid, all of which, he said, must be independently investigated.
