The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, on Monday, raised the alarm that the Gaza situation was “appalling and apocalyptic”, as conditions faced by Palestinians may constitute grave violations of international law.
He made the remarks read on his behalf at a Cairo conference aimed at increasing humanitarian aid to the Strip.
Guterres appealed to the international community to “build a foundation for sustainable peace in Gaza and across the Middle East.”
The war which started on October 7, 2023 after a deadly attack by Hamas on southern Israel, leading to heavy casualties on both sides.
Israeli authorities who said the attack left 1,208 people dead, mostly civilians, launched retaliatory airstrikes which had devastated Gaza, with the health ministry in the territory reporting 44,429 deaths—a figure the UN considers reliable.
Guterres painted a grim picture of life in Gaza, saying rampant malnutrition was all over the place, a collapsing health system, and an alarming rise in child amputations.
“Malnutrition is rampant… famine is imminent. Meanwhile, the health system has collapsed. Gaza now has the highest number of children amputees per capita anywhere in the world,” he said, adding that many surgeries were carried without anaesthesia due to shortages of medical supplies.
Humanitarian aid has been severely restricted, with only 65 trucks entering Gaza daily over the past month, far below the pre-war average of 500.
The UN chief criticised the blockade, saying the issue is not logistical but a matter of political will and respect for international humanitarian law.
A key provider of aid to Palestinians, UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the has reported repeated obstacles to delivering assistance, particularly in northern Gaza.
Guterres warned that if UNRWA is forced to cease operations, Israel would bear the responsibility of providing essential services to the population.
“UNRWA is an irreplaceable lifeline for millions of Palestinians,” he said, adding that “if UNRWA is forced to close, the responsibility of replacing its vital services … would rest with Israel.”
International aid organisations have repeatedly raised alarms about the deteriorating humanitarian situation, warning of famine and the complete collapse of Gaza’s infrastructure.
Guterres called on world leaders to prioritise the delivery of aid and work towards ending the conflict.
The Cairo conference, which brought together representatives from multiple nations and organisations, sought to address the crisis and secure commitments to increase humanitarian support.
