UN Secretary-General Guterres: ‘Gaza is Like a Death Field’
UN Secretary-General Guterres: ‘Gaza is Like a Death Field’
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Gaza has turned into a death field; civilians are trapped in an endless cycle of death.” Speaking to journalists in front of the UN Security Council the day before, Guterres drew attention to the fact that no food, fuel, medicine, or commercial goods have entered Gaza for over a month.
THE WEST BANK IS ALSO IN BAD SHAPE
Guterres pointed out that the “authorization mechanisms” proposed by Israeli officials, especially for food delivery, carry risks of controlling and restricting aid. He stated, “We will not be part of any arrangement that does not fully respect humanitarian principles such as humanity, neutrality, and independence. Uninterrupted humanitarian access must be guaranteed.”
The UN Secretary-General also addressed the situation in the West Bank, saying, “There is a risk that the occupied West Bank could turn into another Gaza. The time has come to end inhumane treatment, release the hostages, and renew the ceasefire.”
Since March 2, no aid has reached the region, which has a population of 2.3 million; the Israeli government had warned that no supplies would be allowed into Gaza until all hostages were released. Israel’s military agency coordinating aid, COGAT, announced last week that it had proposed a “structured aid entry mechanism” for Gaza in meetings with UN agencies and international aid groups.
THREAT TO 970 SOLDIERS
Meanwhile, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that 970 air force personnel, including pilots, who signed a joint declaration expressing their desire to resign due to criticism of the Netanyahu government for refusing a ceasefire and making the war entirely political, received phone calls warning them they would be dismissed if they did not withdraw their signatures.
On the other hand, 43 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza yesterday. Since Israel resumed its attacks by breaking the ceasefire on March 18, the death toll in Gaza has risen to 1,482.
INDONESIA: WE CAN TAKE IN A THOUSAND PALESTINIANS
As the US administration is reportedly in contact with various countries to relocate Gazans, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said they are ready to provide temporary shelter for Palestinians affected by the war between Israel and Hamas. Prabowo said, “In the first phase, we are ready to send planes for a thousand people.”
He stated that they would prioritize the wounded and orphaned children and that they would remain in Indonesia until it is safe to return to Palestine. Subianto also expressed continued support for the Palestinian struggle for independence.
According to the UN, approximately 400,000 Gazans have been displaced due to renewed Israeli attacks last month.