AhlulBayt News Agency: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep alarm over renewed violence in the Gaza Strip and warned of a further escalation in the Middle East, particularly in the occupied West Bank.
“The risk of the occupied West Bank transforming into another Gaza makes it even worse,” Guterres said on Tuesday in New York.
He urged Israel and the international community to respect international law, “We must stick to our core principles. Member States of the United Nations must adhere to their obligations under international law. And there must be justice and accountability when they do not.”
Referring to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Guterres said, “The world may be running out of words to describe the situation in Gaza, but we will never run away from the truth.”
“The current path is a dead end—totally intolerable in the eyes of international law and history.”
Guterres rejected a new Israeli proposal to control aid deliveries to Gaza, saying it risks “further controlling and callously limiting aid down to the last calorie and grain of flour.”
No aid has been delivered to the enclave of 2.3 million people since March 2, as Israel continues to seal vital border crossings, barring the entry of everything from food to medical supplies and fuel.
“As aid has dried up, the floodgates of horror have reopened. Gaza is a killing field—and civilians are in an endless death loop,” he added.
Guterres concluded his remarks by once again calling for a permanent ceasefire, full humanitarian access in Gaza and the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza.
“With crossing points into Gaza shut and aid blockaded, security is in shambles and our capacity to deliver has been strangled,” he said.
“As the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law,” Guterres said.
That means Israel should facilitate relief programs and ensure food, medical care, hygiene, and public health standards in Gaza, he said. “None of that is happening today,” he added.
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