**The U.N. chief condemns Israel's actions as contravening international law, amidst rising tensions and humanitarian concerns in Gaza.**
**U.N. Secretary-General Critiques Israel's Blockade of Gaza Aid**
**U.N. Secretary-General Critiques Israel's Blockade of Gaza Aid**
**António Guterres warns of catastrophic humanitarian situation in a stark address at the U.N.**
The U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres raised alarms on Tuesday over Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, emphasizing that it has resulted in dire circumstances for the Palestinian population. In a statement given at the United Nations in New York, Guterres described Gaza as a "killing field" and criticized the renewed blockade for causing a humanitarian calamity.
“More than a month has passed without a single shipment of aid into Gaza,” he lamented, listing the absence of essential supplies such as food, fuel, and medicine. His remarks came in the wake of the dissolution of a temporary ceasefire, which was intended to facilitate humanitarian assistance. Guterres's commentary reflects a deepening frustration among U.N. officials regarding the international community's inability to influence Israel's military actions in the region, including its closest ally, the United States.
Responding to Guterres's remarks, Israeli officials rebuffed the accusations, indicating that more than 25,000 aid trucks entered Gaza during the previous ceasefire, claiming the aid was misused by Hamas. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein took to social media to voice dissatisfaction with Guterres' framing of the situation, branding it as slander.
Emphasizing the responsibilities that come with occupying power status under the Geneva Conventions, Guterres insisted that Israel bears significant obligations to ensure the accessibility of food, medical aid, and proper health services to the people of Gaza amidst ongoing conflict.
“More than a month has passed without a single shipment of aid into Gaza,” he lamented, listing the absence of essential supplies such as food, fuel, and medicine. His remarks came in the wake of the dissolution of a temporary ceasefire, which was intended to facilitate humanitarian assistance. Guterres's commentary reflects a deepening frustration among U.N. officials regarding the international community's inability to influence Israel's military actions in the region, including its closest ally, the United States.
Responding to Guterres's remarks, Israeli officials rebuffed the accusations, indicating that more than 25,000 aid trucks entered Gaza during the previous ceasefire, claiming the aid was misused by Hamas. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein took to social media to voice dissatisfaction with Guterres' framing of the situation, branding it as slander.
Emphasizing the responsibilities that come with occupying power status under the Geneva Conventions, Guterres insisted that Israel bears significant obligations to ensure the accessibility of food, medical aid, and proper health services to the people of Gaza amidst ongoing conflict.
