NEW YORK, May 23, 2025 (WAFA) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that for nearly 80 days, Israel blocked the entry of life-saving international aid into Gaza. “All the aid authorized until now amounts to a teaspoon of aid when a flood of assistance is required. The needs are massive, and the obstacles are staggering.”
Speaking to reporters today in New York, the UN chief said, “Palestinians in Gaza are enduring what may be the cruelest phase of this cruel conflict."
“As the world’s leading hunger assessment found, the entire population of Gaza is facing the risk of famine. Families are being starved and denied the very basics. All with the world watching in real time,” Guterres said.
He reiterated that Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law. “It must treat civilians humanely, with respect for their inherent dignity. It must not forcibly transport, deport or displace the civilian population of an occupied territory. And as the occupying power, it must agree to allow and facilitate the aid that is needed,” Guterres stressed.
In recent days, “a trickle of aid has crossed over,” the Secretary-General said, further explaining that almost 400 trucks were cleared for entry to Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing. But supplies from only 115 trucks have been able to be collected. And nothing has reached the besieged north.
“We are working around the clock to get whatever aid we can to people in need. And we managed to distribute some wheat flour, baby food, nutrition supplements and medicines. At long last, a few bakeries in south and central Gaza are operating,” Guterres added.
“But let us not forget that we are operating in the middle of a military operation," the UN chief noted.
Stressing that the needs are massive – and the obstacles are staggering for aid delivering, Guterres said, “Strict quotas are being imposed on the goods we distribute – along with unnecessary delay procedures. Other essentials – including fuel, shelter, cooking gas, and water purification supplies – are prohibited.”
“We continue to request for safety and security mitigation measures to be in place for our convoys. Our staff life is at risk if we continue to be prevented from distributing food parcels and wheat flower directly to people in desperate need,” the Secretary-General said.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military offensive is intensifying with “atrocious” levels of death and destruction, Guterres said.
Today, 80 per cent of Gaza has been either designated an Israeli-militarized zone or an area where people have been ordered to leave, the UN chief said, stressing that “four-fifths of the territory of Gaza is a no-go zone for the people of Gaza.”
Guterres said that beyond questions about the particular number of trucks at any particular moment, it is important to stay fixed on the big picture, - "without rapid, reliable, safe and sustained aid access, more people will die – and the long-term consequences on the entire population will be profound," he added.
The head of the world body highlighted that the United Nations has been clear: “We will not take part in any scheme that fails to respect international law and the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality.”
The Secretary-General further explained, “The United Nations and our partners have a detailed, principled, operationally-sound 5-stage plan – supported by Member States – to get aid to a desperate population. A mechanism to Ensure the delivery of aid to Gaza; inspect and scan aid at crossing points; transport aid from crossing points to humanitarian facilities; prepare aid for onward distribution; and transport aid to people in need.”
“We have the personnel, the distribution networks, the systems and community relationships in place to act. The supplies – 160,000 pallets, enough to fill nearly 9,000 trucks – are waiting,” he added.
The UN chief appealed for life-saving aid for the long-suffering people of Gaza: “Let’s do it right. And let’s do it right away,” he concluded.
T.R.
