United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged the international community to intensify efforts in providing humanitarian aid for Gaza during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
After days of negotiations involving Egypt, the U.S., and Israel, the first aid convoys successfully entered Gaza on Saturday. The closure of Gaza’s only border with Egypt due to Israeli strikes had previously prevented the delivery of aid.
During a summit in Cairo, Guterres witnessed the dire situation at the Rafah border crossing and emphasized the need for swift and safe transportation of aid trucks from Egypt to Gaza. He described the scene as a paradox, with full trucks on one side and empty stomachs on the other.
The conflict began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns near Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 1,400 individuals, primarily civilians. In response, Israeli strikes in Gaza have claimed the lives of over 4,100 people, including more than 1,700 children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The Biden administration has expressed strong support for Israel in the conflict. President Biden unveiled a $100 million humanitarian aid package for Gaza civilians earlier in the week, but Guterres emphasized the necessity for a continuous and substantial delivery of aid. He stressed that the people of Gaza require a long-term commitment to alleviate their suffering.
Gaza is currently facing severe shortages of food, fuel, and power, resulting in immense challenges for its population of over 2 million amidst ongoing Israeli airstrikes. Guterres stated that the aid convoys are crucial for the survival of the people, highlighting their significance as a matter of life and death.
During his speech, Guterres condemned the violence carried out by Hamas while advocating for the rights of Gazan civilians and endorsing independent Palestinian governance in the region. He acknowledged the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people, emphasizing the need to address the longstanding conflict and occupation.
However, Guterres firmly denounced the abhorrent attacks by Hamas against Israeli civilians and emphasized that these acts cannot justify collective punishment of the Palestinian people. He called for the upholding of international humanitarian law, which includes the protection of civilians and the avoidance of attacks on hospitals, schools, and UN premises that are currently providing sanctuary for half a million individuals.
