The secretary-general of the United Nations has stated that “aid has dried up [and] the floodgates of horror have re-opened” in the Gaza Strip, as Israel has halted the entry of all goods and renewed its military actions against Hamas.
On Tuesday, António Guterres described Gaza as a “killing field,” emphasizing the dire situation for civilians caught in what he termed an “endless death loop.”
Following the urgent appeal from the leaders of six UN agencies, his remarks underscore the pressing need for world leaders to take immediate action to facilitate the delivery of food and supplies to Palestinians in the region.
Israel’s foreign ministry has asserted that there is an adequate supply of food in Gaza while also accusing Guterres of disseminating falsehoods about the country.
On March 2, Israel implemented a blockade on Gaza following the expiration of the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement. Hamas has declined to prolong that segment of the ceasefire, alleging that Israel has failed to uphold its obligations.
On March 18, Israel resumed its aerial bombardment and ground offensive, resulting in the deaths of 1,449 Palestinians, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. The Israeli military maintains that it does not aim its operations at civilians.
During his address to the press, Guterres emphasized that Israel, in its role as the occupying power, has responsibilities under international law to facilitate the delivery of food and medical supplies to the affected population.
“He stated that the current path represents a dead end, which is completely unacceptable according to international law and historical context.”
In response to the remarks, Israel’s foreign ministry asserted that there is no shortage of aid in Gaza.
Spokesman Oren Marmorstein criticized the dissemination of what he termed slander against Israel, asserting that facts are often overlooked in such narratives.
“The Gaza Strip has seen a significant influx of humanitarian aid, with more than 25,000 aid trucks having entered the region during the 42 days of the ceasefire,” he stated.
Following a joint statement released by six UN agencies on Monday, Guterres emphasized the urgent need for world leaders to ensure that food and aid supplies reach Palestinians in the Strip.
The statement described the situation in Gaza as one where residents were “trapped, bombed and starved again.”
“The recent ceasefire has enabled the delivery of life-saving supplies to nearly every corner of Gaza in just 60 days, a feat that was hindered by bombs, obstructions, and looting during 470 days of conflict,” the statement noted.
“Although this provided a brief pause, claims that sufficient food is now available to nourish all Palestinians in Gaza starkly contrast with the actual situation, as essential supplies are dwindling rapidly.”
The statement received signatures from the leaders of:
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, commonly called OCHA, is crucial in orchestrating global humanitarian responses.
UNICEF, the United Nations agency dedicated to the welfare of children, plays a crucial role in advocating for the rights and well-being of young people worldwide.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is an organization dedicated to addressing global hunger and food insecurity.
The World Health Organization, commonly known as WHO, is pivotal in global health governance and policy-making.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a critical organization dedicated to supporting Palestinian refugees.
The United Nations Office for Project Services, commonly referred to as UNOPS, plays a crucial role in supporting the implementation of sustainable development projects worldwide.
The ongoing blockade has led to the closure of all UN-supported bakeries, leaving markets devoid of most fresh vegetables, while hospitals are now forced to ration painkillers and antibiotics.
The statement highlights that Gaza’s health system, which is only partially operational, is facing overwhelming challenges, with essential medical and trauma supplies depleting at an alarming rate.
As the Israeli blockade on Gaza enters its second month, there is a growing call for world leaders to respond with firmness, urgency, and decisiveness to uphold the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.
Ensuring the safety of civilians is paramount. Assist. Hostages must be released immediately. Reinstate a ceasefire.
A two-month cessation of hostilities resulted in a significant increase in humanitarian assistance entering Gaza. During this period, Hamas released 33 hostages, eight of whom were confirmed deceased, in return for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.
On Tuesday, the health ministry controlled by Hamas in Gaza reported that a minimum of 58 individuals had lost their lives in the region within the last 24 hours.
Overnight Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of 19 individuals, among them five children, following an attack on their residence in the central town of Deir al-Balah, as reported by the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency.
Reports indicate that an additional 11 individuals lost their lives in two distinct attacks in the northern town of Beit Lahia and a region located northwest of Gaza City.
In a developing story, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) has reported that a second Palestinian journalist has succumbed to injuries sustained from an Israeli strike on Monday.
Ahmed Mansour sustained severe burns following an attack on a media tent in the southern city of Khan Younis, which also resulted in the death of his colleague from Palestine Today, Helmi al-Faqaawi.
The Israeli military announced that its recent strike was aimed at a third journalist, Hassan Eslaih, whom they have labeled as a “Hamas terrorist.” The PJS reported that Eslaih was in critical condition after the attack, alongside several other journalists who were also affected.
The conflict erupted following Hamas’s unprecedented assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals, who were taken back to Gaza as hostages.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, the Israeli offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 50,810 Palestinians.
