UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the situation in the Gaza Strip as a “crisis of humanity”. He reiterated his calls for the immediate release of hostages taken to Gaza and a humanitarian ceasefire. “Gaza is becoming a cemetery for children,” Guterres said today in New York.
More journalists and more UN staff have reportedly died in recent weeks than in other conflicts in recent decades over comparable periods, he said. There are clear violations of human rights.
1.1 billion euros in planned aid
Guterres complained that humanitarian aid was far from sufficient. Only around 400 trucks carrying humanitarian aid have managed to enter the Gaza Strip in the past two weeks – compared with around 500 a day before the war began. Urgently needed fuel could not be brought.
“Without fuel, newborns in incubators and patients hooked up to life-saving machines will die, water cannot be pumped or purified.” The United Nations now wanted to raise around 1.2 billion dollars (around 1.1 billion euros) for humanitarian aid for the Palestinians.
Concerned about the increase in violence
The UN chief expressed deep concern about the rise of anti-Semitism and growing hatred against Muslims and warned of an escalation of the conflict. “We are already seeing an escalation spiral from Lebanon to Syria, Iraq and Yemen. This escalation must stop,” said Guterres. “A cool head and diplomatic efforts must prevail.”