Michael Boluwatife
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres on Monday condemned the situation in Gaza stating that it is “appalling and apocalyptic.”
Expressing concern, Guterres said that the conditions facing Palestinians could amount to severe violations of international law.
In a statement delivered on his behalf at a Cairo conference focused on increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza, Guterres urged the global community to work toward “building a foundation for sustainable peace in Gaza and across the Middle East.” His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera.
The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, after a deadly Hamas attack in southern Israel, has led to significant casualties on both sides. Israeli authorities have confirmed 1,208 deaths in Israel, the majority of them civilians, while Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have caused widespread devastation. Gaza's health ministry reports over 44,000 fatalities, a figure the United Nations has recognized as credible.
Guterres painted a bleak picture of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, describing widespread malnutrition, a collapsing healthcare system, and an alarming increase in child amputations. “Malnutrition is rampant… famine is imminent,” he said, adding that Gaza now has the highest rate of child amputations per capita worldwide. The lack of medical supplies has forced many surgeries to be conducted without anesthesia, further exacerbating the crisis.
Humanitarian aid to Gaza has been severely limited, with only 65 trucks allowed entry daily over the past month, compared to the pre-conflict average of 500. The UN chief criticized the blockade, insisting that the problem was not logistical, but rather a political issue that undermined international humanitarian law.
The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which plays a critical role in providing aid to Palestinians, has faced repeated barriers in delivering assistance, especially in northern Gaza. Guterres warned that if UNRWA were forced to halt operations, Israel would bear responsibility for replacing the essential services the agency provides.
“UNRWA is an irreplaceable lifeline for millions of Palestinians,” he emphasized, adding, “If UNRWA is forced to close, the responsibility of replacing its vital services would rest with Israel.”
International aid organizations have raised alarms over the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, with many warning of the imminent threat of famine and the complete collapse of the region’s infrastructure. Guterres urged world leaders to prioritize humanitarian relief and to focus on ending the ongoing violence.
The Cairo conference, attended by representatives from multiple countries and organizations, sought to address the growing crisis and secure additional commitments for humanitarian assistance. However, the challenges remain as the conflict continues to intensify.
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