In brief
In a recent press briefing, Guterres expressed alarm over the humanitarian situation in Gaza due to the Israeli blockade, calling it a violation of international law.
The U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres openly condemned Israel’s blockade of aid into Gaza, which he described as having unleashed “the floodgates of horror” for the Palestinian people. During his remarks to the press from United Nations headquarters in New York, Guterres stated that the conditions in Gaza have transformed into a “killing field” with civilians trapped in a relentless cycle of despair. “It has been over a month without any aid entering Gaza; no food, no fuel, no medicine, and no commercial supplies have reached the people,” he lamented. This marks some of the strongest language from Guterres regarding Israel since the onset of the ongoing war with Hamas, reflecting a growing frustration among U.N. officials regarding the global community's response, including that of Israel's allies, like the United States.In response, the Israeli government dismissed the U.N. Secretary-General’s assertions, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein stating on social media, “The facts do not support these claims.” He mentioned that more than 25,000 aid trucks had entered Gaza during a previous cease-fire, accusing Hamas of misusing this aid to strengthen its military capabilities. Citing international law, Guterres emphasized that Israel, as an occupying power, has “inescapable obligations” according to the Geneva Conventions, which include ensuring the delivery of essential supplies and maintaining public services such as healthcare. The dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to escalate, drawing intense scrutiny and criticism as the conflict shows no signs of abating.
