UN Secretary-General António Guterres has criticized Israel, claiming that it has turned the Gaza Strip into a “death field,” effectively blocking the entry of humanitarian aid. Guterres stated that for over a month, no aid has entered Gaza, leaving the population without food, fuel, medicine, or other essential supplies. He emphasized that Gaza has become a “field of death,” with civilians trapped in a continuous cycle of suffering and death.
He rejected claims that there are sufficient stocks of food and resources in Gaza to sustain its population, stating that Israel, as the occupying power, has clear obligations under international law, including humanitarian and human rights law. Referring to the Geneva Conventions, Guterres pointed out that the occupying power must ensure the provision of food and medical supplies to the population, which, according to him, is not happening.
Guterres also rejected Israel’s proposal for humanitarian assistance through permits and emphasized that the UN will not participate in any system that does not fully adhere to humanitarian principles such as humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality. He reiterated his demand for an unimpeded and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza.
