United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has firmly rejected Israel’s latest proposal aimed at controlling aid deliveries in Gaza. He expressed concerns that this approach could “further control and callously limit aid down to the last calorie and grain of flour.”
“Let me be clear: We will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality,” Mr. Guterres emphasized to reporters, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining these values.
Since March 2, no aid has been allowed into the Palestinian enclave, which is home to approximately 2.1 million people. Israel has stated it will restrict the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza until all hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas are released.
Last week, COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for coordinating aid efforts, met with UN agencies and international humanitarian organizations. They proposed a “structured monitoring and aid entry mechanism” for the region, aiming to address the logistics of aid distribution.
Jonathan Whittall, the senior UN aid official overseeing the Gaza and West Bank operations, remarked that there is currently no evidence supporting claims of aid being redirected away from those in need.
Following a two-month truce, Israel resumed its military operations in Gaza last month, intensifying its bombardment and deploying troops back into the area. Mr. Guterres described the situation grimly: “Gaza is a killing field – and civilians are in an endless death loop.” He reiterated calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, a permanent ceasefire, and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza.
“With crossing points into Gaza shut and aid blockaded, security is in shambles, and our capacity to deliver has been strangled,” he stated, stressing the urgent need for action.
Furthermore, he reminded the international community of Israel’s obligations as an occupying power under international law: “This includes adherence to international humanitarian law and international human rights law.” He argued that Israel must facilitate relief programs and ensure the provision of necessary food, medical care, hygiene, and public health standards in Gaza. “None of that is happening today,” he pointedly observed.
In response, Israel contends that it does not exercise effective control over Gaza and thus does not qualify as an occupying power.
Tragically, data from the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory reveals that at least 1,391 Palestinians have died during the recent escalation in Israeli military operations, bringing the total death toll since the conflict’s onset to a staggering 50,752. The October 2023 attack by Hamas that ignited this ongoing war resulted in the loss of 1,218 lives, primarily among civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli statistics.
As we continue to monitor this situation, the human impact of these conflicts underscores the pressing need for a resolution that honors humanity’s core principles and the dignity of those affected.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
