Guterres: Gaza's last lifelines are almost cut off

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his shock at the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, warning that "the last lifelines are about to be cut off" due to the Israeli occupation's closure of the Strip's crossings.

This was stated by UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric on Thursday regarding the Secretary-General's position on developments in Gaza.

Guterres expressed his alarm at the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting that "dozens of Palestinians have been killed or injured in recent days as a result of numerous Israeli attacks on areas sheltering displaced persons and civilians trying to obtain food."

He strongly condemned the loss of civilian lives, noting that some 30,000 Palestinians were displaced again this week due to Israeli "evacuation orders" issued in a single day.

He pointed out that the lack of safe shelter and the severe shortage of basic needs such as housing, food, medicine, and water have led to a major humanitarian disaster.

The UN Secretary-General stressed that "the rules of international humanitarian law are clear. Civilians must be protected and their needs met."

He stressed that fuel has not entered Gaza for more than 17 weeks, and warned that "the last lifeline in Gaza is about to be cut off."

He also warned that unless fuel is urgently secured, incubators will stop working, ambulances will be unable to reach the wounded and sick, and water will not be purified.

He added in particular: "The very limited vital assistance that the United Nations and its partners are able to provide in Gaza will come to a complete halt."

Guterres reiterated his call for "full, safe, and sustained humanitarian access" to deliver humanitarian aid to people in Gaza who have long been deprived of their basic needs.

He pointed out that the United Nations has a plan to provide the assistance needed by civilians safely and on a large scale, based on humanitarian principles.

The Secretary-General called on all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, reiterating his call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire.