U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has called for urgent action to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, labeling the starvation in the region a 'moral outrage.' Guterres emphasized the need for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas to prevent further suffering among Palestinian civilians.
Guterres made these remarks at the Rafah Crossing in Egypt, near the Gaza border, where a significant number of aid trucks are waiting to enter the enclave. He highlighted the challenges faced in delivering aid to Gaza, with international aid agencies largely attributing the difficulties to Israel's restrictions.
Approximately 7,000 aid trucks are currently stationed in Egypt's North Sinai province, awaiting entry into Gaza. Guterres stressed the importance of ensuring unimpeded access for humanitarian goods into Gaza and called for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas.
The ongoing conflict has led to a significant loss of life, with more than 32,000 people killed according to Gaza health officials. The situation has left much of Gaza in ruins, displacing a large portion of the population. The Health Ministry reported that 72 people were killed in the past 24 hours alone.
Israel has faced criticism for its military actions in Gaza, with allegations of civilian casualties and destruction of residential areas. The conflict has escalated to the point where fighting is occurring near Gaza's largest hospital, leading to further civilian casualties and humanitarian concerns.
The World Health Organization has condemned the conditions in Gaza, describing them as 'utterly inhumane.' The lack of aid delivery to certain areas of Gaza has exacerbated the crisis, with reports of hunger and desperation among the population.
The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has accused Israel of obstructing aid convoys to northern Gaza, while Israel has countered by stating that aid trucks are ready for distribution. The situation remains critical, with urgent action needed to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
For more updates on the Israel-Hamas conflict, visit AP's war coverage.
