UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday condemned
the worsening crisis in Gaza, voicing alarm over escalating humanitarian
suffering.
In addition to calling for rapid international action to address the situation and guarantee accountability, he warned of devastating humanitarian implications and highlighted "an endless catalog of horrors" in the region.
As Israel continues to hint at plans for a military takeover of Gaza City, Guterres said Palestinians in Gaza were suffering through "yet another deadly escalation."
In addition to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people already traumatized by months of bloodshed, he described this as a "new and dangerous phase" of the conflict that would have "devastating consequences."
“This must stop,”
Guterres said.
“Gaza is piled with rubble, piled with bodies, and piled with examples of what may be serious violations of international law.”
He went on to say that Israeli military actions had murdered journalists, medical personnel, and civilians, citing recent airstrikes.
20 persons, including journalists and medical personnel, were killed Monday in a double Israeli strike on the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis. The initial strike killed at least one person, and when rescuers and reporters raced to the scene, more were murdered a few minutes later.
International media organizations such as the Associated Press, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Middle East Eye employed the five journalists who lost their lives.
“These attacks are part of an endless catalog of horrors,”
Guterres said.
“There must be accountability.”
Along with calling for the immediate and unconditional release of everyone detained, he denounced Hamas and other armed groups for kidnapping captives and putting them through "atrocious treatment."
He described the growing humanitarian situation in Gaza as beyond urgent, warning that famine was no longer a looming threat but “a present-day catastrophe.” He said that vital services including food, water, and healthcare systems had been "systematically dismantled," that women were giving birth in appalling conditions, and that populations were starving to death.
“These are the facts on the ground,”
he added.
“And they are the result of deliberate decisions that defy basic humanity.”
According to Guterres, Israel has a legal duty as the occupying force to guarantee that the populace has access to food, water, and medical assistance. In collaboration with the UN, he demanded that the International Court of Justice's legally enforceable interim measures be put into effect, including facilitating complete and instantaneous humanitarian access across Gaza.
He pointed out that since the violence intensified, 366 UN employees have been killed and that every day, humanitarian activities are "blocked, delayed, and denied." He went on to say, "This is unacceptable."
The West Bank's worsening situation was also discussed by the secretary-general, who brought up the rise in military operations, settler violence, and discriminatory policies. He cautioned that the northern West could be cut off by a recently approved proposal to increase settlements there.
“I repeat: the Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem have been established, and are being maintained, in violation of international law,”
Guterres said.
“Israel must cease such actions and comply with its obligations.
There is no military solution to this conflict. I appeal once again for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unfettered humanitarian access across Gaza, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
Starvation of the civilian population must never be used as a method of warfare. Civilians must be protected. Humanitarian access must be unimpeded. No more excuses. No more obstacles. No more lies.”
What new evidence did Guterres cite for calling Gaza’s destruction unparalleled?
He stressed the war has left an estimated 51 million tons of
rubble strewn across what was once a vibrant community and is unparalleled
physical destruction.
There were numerous attacks on civilian infrastructure, including two airstrikes on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis that killed civilians, medical workers and journalists that he described as part of an "endless catalogue of horrors."
Gaza is filled with rubble, bodies and evidence of possible serious violation of International Law, magnitudes of destruction are mind numbing.
Guterres emphasized that famine is not looming for Gaza but rather catastrophe, systematically starving civilians of food, water and healthcare systems. All three have been dismantled, leaving them in a state of starvation and malnutrition.