UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is “appalled” by the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as civilians face yet another wave of mass displacement with few safe places to go, according to his spokesperson.
Multiple attacks in recent days have killed and injured scores of Palestinians at sites hosting displaced people and others attempting to access essential supplies, Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday.
“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the loss of civilian life,” Dujarric added.
On just one day this week, nearly 30,000 people were forced to flee under new Israeli relocation orders, with no safe place to go and clearly inadequate supplies of shelter, food, medicine or water, he added.
With no fuel having entered Gaza in over 17 weeks, the UN chief is also “gravely concerned that the last lifelines for survival are being cut off.”
“Without an urgent influx of fuel, incubators will shut down, ambulances will be unable to reach the injured and sick, and water cannot be purified,” Dujarric said.
“The delivery by the United Nations and partners of what little of our lifesaving humanitarian aid is left in Gaza will also grind to a halt.”
The Secretary-General reiterated his call for safe and sustained humanitarian access so aid can reach people in desperate need.
“The UN has a clear and proven plan, rooted in the humanitarian principles, to get vital assistance to civilians – safely and at scale, wherever they are,” Dujarric said.
The Secretary-General reiterated his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.
He reminded all parties that international humanitarian law must be upheld.
