DaysofPal- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning about the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the increasing instability in the occupied West Bank, urging the international community to act in line with international law and human rights standards.
Speaking on Tuesday from New York, Guterres expressed grave concern over the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“The risk of the occupied West Bank transforming into another Gaza makes it even worse,” he warned, highlighting the potential for the current crisis to spread beyond the besieged enclave.
Guterres strongly emphasized the importance of upholding international norms and accountability. “We must stick to our core principles. Member States of the United Nations must adhere to their obligations under international law. And there must be justice and accountability when they do not,” he stated.
As the war in Gaza grinds on, Guterres painted a bleak picture of a humanitarian disaster reaching unprecedented levels.
“The world may be running out of words to describe the situation in Gaza, but we will never run away from the truth,” he said. “The current path is a dead end, totally intolerable in the eyes of international law and history.”
In a sharp rebuke of Israel’s proposed new controls on aid deliveries, the Secretary-General cautioned against any measures that would further restrict the already dire flow of humanitarian assistance.
He rejected the proposal, stating it risked “further controlling and callously limiting aid down to the last calorie and grain of flour.”
Since March 2, no aid has been delivered to Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, as Israeli authorities continue to block key border crossings. The resulting shortages have severely impacted access to food, medical supplies, and fuel.
“As aid has dried up, the floodgates of horror have reopened. Gaza is a killing field, and civilians are in an endless death loop,” Guterres declared.
The Secretary-General reiterated his urgent call for a permanent ceasefire, unfettered humanitarian access, and the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza.
“With crossing points into Gaza shut and aid blockaded, security is in shambles and our capacity to deliver has been strangled,” he said.
Guterres also reminded Israel of its legal responsibilities under international humanitarian and human rights law. “As the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law,” he emphasized.
“That means Israel should facilitate relief programs and ensure food, medical care, hygiene, and public health standards in Gaza. None of that is happening today,” he concluded.
Since March 2, Israel has prevented the entry of essential supplies, food, water, and aid, into the Gaza Strip following its closure of the border crossings, resulting in a humanitarian catastrophe and worsening famine. It has been imposing a blockade on Gaza for 18 years. Around 1.5 million of its approximately 2.2 million residents are now homeless after the war of extermination destroyed their homes. The Strip has entered a phase of famine due to Tel Aviv’s continued closure of crossings to humanitarian aid.
Israel has killed 1,449 Palestinians and injured 3,647 others, primarily women and children, since it resumed its genocide campaign in Gaza on March 18, 2025.
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