UN Secretary-General’s Appeal for Peace
The UN Secretary-General reiterated his appeal to Israel to stop any escalation in Gaza. Reports indicate that Israeli forces have taken over key border crossings in Rafah, located in the far south of the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Rafah is currently hosting hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who have been displaced from other parts of the enclave due to the ongoing Israeli military operation. There are growing concerns about the dwindling humanitarian aid stocks and the imminent depletion of fuel reserves across the war-torn Strip.
Secretary-General’s Call for Action
Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at a press stakeout at UN Headquarters in New York, emphasized the urgent need to reopen the Rafah and Karem Shalom crossings to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. He called on the Israeli Government to halt any escalation and actively participate in diplomatic discussions.
Appeal for Peace and Agreement
Mr. Guterres stressed the importance of reaching an agreement between the Government of Israel and Hamas leadership to end the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and Israeli hostages and their families. He highlighted the devastating consequences of continued conflict and urged both parties to demonstrate political courage to secure a ceasefire.
Preventing a Human Catastrophe
The UN chief warned that a full-scale assault on Rafah would result in a human catastrophe, leading to more civilian casualties and displacements. He emphasized the urgent need to avoid further escalation and support humanitarian efforts to prevent famine and alleviate the dire conditions in Gaza.
Global Implications
Mr. Guterres underscored that an attack on Rafah would not only impact Gaza and the West Bank but also have broader repercussions in the Middle East region. He called on influential parties to intervene and prevent a potential humanitarian disaster in the area.