Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, voiced serious concerns on Monday about ongoing violations of international law in Gaza. At a press briefing held at the UN headquarters in New York, he announced a major humanitarian appeal and called for adherence to international humanitarian law by all conflict parties.
The UN is seeking $1.2 billion to provide critical aid to approximately 2.7 million Palestinians affected by the conflict. Guterres highlighted the severe impact on civilians in Gaza, describing the situation as a profound human crisis that is shaking the conscience of the world and creating instability in the region.
With the rising death toll, particularly among children, Guterres emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and underscored the urgency of a humanitarian ceasefire. He reiterated that both the warring sides and the global community bear the immediate, substantial responsibility to halt the collective suffering and substantially increase aid to the people of Gaza.
Guterres’s appeal comes in the wake of intensified hostilities in the region. The violence escalated following an attack by Hamas, the de facto ruling authority of the Gaza Strip, which led to a series of air and ground strikes by Israel in the territory.
The conflict has resulted in a tragic loss of life, with the Palestinian death toll surpassing 10,000, including a significant number of children and women. The Israeli death toll stands at nearly 1,600 based on official figures. Gaza’s population of over two million faces a dire humanitarian situation, with a severe shortage of essential supplies due to the blockade.
