UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made a renewed and urgent call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the need to “silence the guns.” Speaking from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, Guterres highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and urged Israel to allow “total, unfettered” access to humanitarian aid throughout the region.
The situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, with a UN-backed food security assessment reporting that 1.1 million people are facing catastrophic hunger, with a man-made famine imminent in the north of the enclave. Guterres stressed the importance of delivering life-saving aid, stating, “The choice is clear: either surge or starvation,” as aid trucks remain blocked at the Rafah border crossing.
The call for a ceasefire follows a day after Russia and China vetoed a US draft resolution at the UN, which linked a ceasefire to the release of hostages held in Gaza. Guterres condemned the continued obstruction of aid, describing the situation as a “moral outrage” and emphasizing that the ongoing war is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Israel has faced criticism from Western countries and aid groups for its slow inspection process, which has been blamed for delaying the entry of essential aid into Gaza. In response, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, criticized Guterres, accusing him of blaming Israel for the humanitarian crisis without condemning Hamas.
As the conflict continues, with more than 32,000 Palestinians killed according to Gaza’s health ministry, Guterres’ plea underscores the urgent need for a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and alleviate the suffering of civilians trapped in the conflict. Despite international calls for restraint, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to its military objectives, stating that no international pressure will deter their efforts.