Gaza Situation Appalling, Apocalyptic – UN

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, on Monday, described the situation in Gaza as “appalling and apocalyptic”, warning that the conditions faced by Palestinians may constitute grave violations of international law.

In his remarks, read on his behalf at a Cairo conference aimed at increasing humanitarian aid to the Strip, Guterres urged the international community to “build a foundation for sustainable peace in Gaza and across the Middle East,” as reported by Al Jazeera.

The ongoing conflict, which erupted on 7 October 2023 following a deadly attack by Hamas on southern Israel, has resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.

According to Israeli authorities, the attack left 1,208 people dead, mostly civilians. In response, Israeli airstrikes have 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, describing rampant malnutrition, 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 are performed 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, stating that the issue is not logistical but a matter of political will and respect for international humanitarian law.

The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a key provider of aid to Palestinians, 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.