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Gaza is ‘a killing field’: UN chief
Antonio Guterres is speaking to reporters at the UN right now.
The secretary-general says Palestinian civilians are bearing the brunt of the dire situation in Gaza.
“More than an entire month has passed without a drop of aid into Gaza. No food. No fuel. No medicine. No commercial supplies,” he said in New York. “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 calls for unimpeded humanitarian access
The United Nations chief adds that the world body’s ability to deliver humanitarian supplies to Palestinians in Gaza “has been strangled”.
“No humanitarian supplies can enter Gaza. Meanwhile, at the crossing points, food, medicine and shelter supplies are piling up, and vital equipment is stuck,” Antonio Guterres said.
He explained that Israel – as an occupying power – has obligations under international law to ensure food and medical supplies for the population under occupation. It must also maintain health services in the occupied territory, he added.
“I want to say a special word about those humanitarian heroes in Gaza. They are under fire and yet doing all they can to follow the path they choose to help people,” Guterres said.
“Let me be clear: We will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles: humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality. Unimpeded humanitarian access must be guaranteed.”
Asked about the US and Israeli push to force Palestinians out of Gaza, the UN chief says that “Palestinians have the right to live in Palestine, in a Palestinian state, side-by-side with the Israeli state”.
“To be forced to be moved away is something that is against international law,” Guterres said.
